Salaries in the HR industry have risen by 1% over the past year, behind the 5.3% average national increase, according to research by recruitment firm Reed.
As part of its annual salary guides, it analysed more than 18 million job adverts and surveyed 5,000 UK workers on their current and expected salary and benefits.
It found that employee relations manager salaries have increased by 12%, internal recruiter by 11.8%, and HR analyst by 9%. Conversely, chief operating officer salaries fell by 8.6%, learning development manager by 5.9%, and project manager by 4.9%.
Just under a fifth (17%) of respondents said they are still unhappy with their salaries, with 67% of this group saying this is because their salary has not risen in line with the cost of living. Meanwhile, 56% feel they are unable to save enough to meet their financial goals, such as purchasing a house or retirement.
Furthermore, HR professionals would like a pay rise of about £4,231 from their current employer to feel it is worthwhile, rising to an average of £13,250 for them to switch employers.
In addition, 77% said they are open to, actively, or considering new job opportunities, and 26% expressed that they would not trade their benefits for a pay increase.
Alexia Catt, HR expert at Reed, said: “The HR sector has been struggling due to a combination of economic uncertainty, reduced hiring, and rising expectations. As organisations cut costs amid inflation and slower growth, HR budgets and recruitment activity have declined, while HR teams are still carrying heavy workloads from layoffs, restructures, and ongoing workforce challenges.
“Simultaneously, HR is being asked to manage increasing complexity around compliance, hybrid work, wellbeing, and inclusion, often with fewer resources, all while rapid advances in automation and AI [artificial intelligence] are also reshaping traditional HR roles, adding pressure to upskill quickly. If budgets are too tight to accommodate pay rises, [employers could] consider enhancing the benefits package.”
