Human Resources Manager salary in Tennessee
Human Resources Managers in Tennessee earn a median of $131,760 a year ($63.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,300 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $149,280. Tennessee ranks 28th of 51 states for human resources managers pay. There are 1.3 human resources managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $144,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources managers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| 25th percentile | $103,560 | $49.79 |
| Median | $131,760 | $63.35 |
| 75th percentile | $168,970 | $81.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,300 | $104.95 |
| Average (mean) | $144,990 | $69.71 |
Half of human resources managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,067.69 |
| Weekly | $2,533.85 |
| Hourly | $63.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Manager salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $138,560 | 760 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $135,230 | 1,840 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $132,680 | 150 |
| Knoxville, TN | $132,200 | 530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $129,900 | 320 |
| Jackson, TN | $115,320 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $113,220 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $109,010 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $108,450 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $107,470 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for human resources managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 |
| New York | $176,650 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 |
| California | $170,080 |
| Rhode Island | $167,110 |
| Colorado | $166,400 |
| Virginia | $165,980 |
| Connecticut | $165,930 |
| Washington | $165,530 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $141,010 | $67.79 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $158,700 | $76.30 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $127,410 | $61.25 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,740 | $48.43 |
| Facilities Manager | $106,730 | $51.31 |
| Purchasing Manager | $137,060 | $65.89 |
| Training and Development Managers | $121,030 | $58.19 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $132,780 | $63.84 |
| General and Operations Managers | $106,970 | $51.43 |
| Managers, All Other | $99,430 | $47.80 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Sales Manager | $128,040 | $61.56 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,990 | $63.46 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-3121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources manager make in Tennessee?
The median salary for human resources managers in Tennessee is $131,760 a year, or $63.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources managers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of human resources managers in Tennessee earn at least $218,300 a year. The top 25% earn $168,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources managers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,160 a year, and a quarter of human resources managers earn $103,560 or less.
How many human resources managers work in Tennessee?
About 4,310 human resources managers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.