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2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

HR Manager Salary in Austin: $150K Median

HR Managers in Austin, TX earn between $90K and $230K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $130,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median HR Manager salary in Austin, TX is $149,500 per year — +15% above the US national median of $130,000. Salaries range from $89,700 (entry, 25th percentile) to $230,000 (90th percentile). HR Managers in Austin earned approximately $31,809 in 2025, representing 370.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$149,500
+370.0% YoY · $12,458/mo
Entry
$86,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$189,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$230,000
Senior/lead
HR Manager Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$150K
Houston
$137K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$121K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$137K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About HR Managers in Austin

HR managers oversee recruiting, employee relations, compensation, benefits, and HR strategy aligned to business goals.

Core Responsibilities

  • Talent acquisition
  • Employee relations
  • Compensation strategy
  • Performance management
  • Compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree; SHRM-CP/SCP common at senior levels

In-demand certifications

SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCPPHR / SPHRGPHR

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring HR Managers

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

Fortune 500 companies
Tech firms
Healthcare systems
Manufacturing

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying HR Manager listings.

HR analyticsWorkdayDEI strategyTalent intelligenceAI in HR

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SHRMemployee relationsHRIS (Workday, BambooHR)compensationcompliancetalent acquisition
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

HR manager demand growing 6%. Strategic HR roles paying premiums.

HR Manager Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$89,700$149,500$230,000
Monthly$7,475$12,458$19,167
Weekly$1,725$2,875$4,423
Hourly$43$72$111

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($130,000) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

HR Manager Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$112,840.25
Per month$9,403
Biweekly paycheck$4,340
Effective tax rate24.5%

Tax Breakdown on $149,500

Gross salary$149,500
Federal income tax−$25,223
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,436.75
Take-home (net)$112,840.25

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

HR Manager Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for HR Managers in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$79,350
2–3 yr$86,250
4–6 yr$138,000
7–10 yr$189,750
11–15 yr$223,905
15+ yr$209,875

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+370.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$31,809
2026 median:$149,500
Change:+$117,691

Human Resources sector growth driven by demand for HR analytics and Workday.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$125,630
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your HR Manager Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $138,426 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • SHRM-SCP / SPHR materially shift compensation - cite the credential premium
  • HR analytics, Workday config, and people-data work pay above generalist roles
  • Headcount supported and span of control
  • M&A integration, RIF, or rapid-scale experience

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus to offset forfeited annual bonusSHRM / HRCI certification and renewal feesAnnual performance bonusExecutive coaching budgetHybrid / remote flexibility

What To Say

"With SHRM-SCP and direct Workday config experience, the going rate for this role is $X. I'd like base there plus a sign-on to offset the bonus I'd be leaving on the table."

Anchor on $190K–$230K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific HR analytics/Workday expertise.

HR Manager Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average HR Manager salary in Austin, TX?
The average HR Manager salary in Austin is $149,500 per year as of April 2026 — $12,458/month, $2,875/week, or about $72/hour. Salaries range from $89,700 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $230,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $149,500 a good HR Manager salary in Austin?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $149,500 a real purchasing power of approximately $125,630 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $149,500 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $149,500 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $149,500 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $149,500 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $149,500 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $149,500 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $149,500 each ($299,000 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $149,500 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $149,500 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single HR Manager income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a HR Manager in Austin?
On a $149,500 HR Manager salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $112,840.25 per year ($9,403/month, $4,340 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $25,223, state $0, FICA $11,436.75. Effective tax rate: 24.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do HR Managers in Austin earn compared to the US average?
HR Managers in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($130,000 nationally vs $149,500 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $125,630 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level HR Manager earn in Austin?
Entry-level HR Managers in Austin typically start at around $86,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, HR Managers earn $189,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $230,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did HR Manager salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — HR Manager salaries in Austin grew approximately 370.0% year-over-year, from $31,809 in 2025 to $149,500 in 2026 (+$117,691). This reflects the broader Human Resources sector's compensation trend, driven by HR analytics and Workday demand.
What's the job outlook for HR Managers in Austin?
HR manager demand growing 6%. Strategic HR roles paying premiums. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for HR Managers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for HR Managers are: HR analytics, Workday, DEI strategy, Talent intelligence, AI in HR. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring HR Managers in Austin?
Top employers hiring HR Managers in or near Austin include: Fortune 500 companies, Tech firms, Healthcare systems, Manufacturing. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher HR Manager salary in Austin?
With SHRM-SCP and direct Workday config experience, the going rate for this role is $X. I'd like base there plus a sign-on to offset the bonus I'd be leaving on the table. Key leverage points for Human Resources negotiations: SHRM-SCP / SPHR materially shift compensation - cite the credential premium; HR analytics, Workday config, and people-data work pay above generalist roles; Headcount supported and span of control. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus to offset forfeited annual bonus, SHRM / HRCI certification and renewal fees, Annual performance bonus, Executive coaching budget.
How can I increase my HR Manager salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (HR analytics, Workday, DEI strategy) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP or PHR / SPHR). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a HR Manager in Austin?
Bachelor's degree; SHRM-CP/SCP common at senior levels is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Human Resources roles.

Methodology & Sources

HR Manager salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($130,000) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (370.0%) reflects the Human Resources sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

HR Manager Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$137KSan Antonio, TX$121KSan Diego, CA$153KDallas, TX$137KFort Worth, TX$133KDenver, CO$143KEl Paso, TX$111KPortland, OR$143K

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