90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

HR Manager Salary in Virginia Beach: $127K Median

HR Managers in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $76K and $196K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $130,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median HR Manager salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $127,400 per year — -2% below the US national median of $130,000. Salaries range from $76,440 (entry, 25th percentile) to $196,000 (90th percentile). HR Managers in Virginia Beach earned approximately $27,106 in 2025, representing 370.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$127,400
+370.0% YoY · $10,617/mo
Entry
$73,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$161,700
5+ years
Top 10%
$196,000
Senior/lead
HR Manager Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$127K
Charlotte
$133K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$133K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$127K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About HR Managers in Virginia Beach

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

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring HR Managers

Major employers active in Virginia Beach 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 — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$76,440$127,400$196,000
Monthly$6,370$10,617$16,333
Weekly$1,470$2,450$3,769
Hourly$37$61$94

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($130,000) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

HR Manager Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$91,364.9
Per month$7,614
Biweekly paycheck$3,514
Effective tax rate28.3%

Tax Breakdown on $127,400

Gross salary$127,400
Federal income tax−$19,919
Virginia state tax−$6,370
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,746.1
Take-home (net)$91,364.9

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 — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for HR Managers in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$67,620
2–3 yr$73,500
4–6 yr$117,600
7–10 yr$161,700
11–15 yr$190,806
15+ yr$178,850

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+370.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$27,106
2026 median:$127,400
Change:+$100,294

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
$127,400
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your HR Manager Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $117,963 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

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 $162K–$196K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific HR analytics/Workday expertise.

HR Manager Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average HR Manager salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average HR Manager salary in Virginia Beach is $127,400 per year as of April 2026 — $10,617/month, $2,450/week, or about $61/hour. Salaries range from $76,440 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $196,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $127,400 a good HR Manager salary in Virginia Beach?
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. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $127,400 a real purchasing power of approximately $127,400 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $127,400 in Virginia Beach?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $127,400 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $127,400 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $127,400 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $127,400 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $127,400 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $127,400 each ($254,800 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $127,400 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $127,400 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 Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a HR Manager in Virginia Beach?
On a $127,400 HR Manager salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $91,364.9 per year ($7,614/month, $3,514 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,919, state $6,370, FICA $9,746.1. Effective tax rate: 28.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do HR Managers in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
HR Managers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($130,000 nationally vs $127,400 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $127,400 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level HR Manager earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level HR Managers in Virginia Beach typically start at around $73,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, HR Managers earn $161,700 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $196,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did HR Manager salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — HR Manager salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 370.0% year-over-year, from $27,106 in 2025 to $127,400 in 2026 (+$100,294). 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 Virginia Beach?
HR manager demand growing 6%. Strategic HR roles paying premiums. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — 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 Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring HR Managers in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring HR Managers in or near Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree; SHRM-CP/SCP common at senior levels is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($130,000) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — 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 Virginia Beach

HR Manager Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$130KSan Antonio, TX$121KFort Worth, TX$133KColumbus, OH$126KCharlotte, NC$133KIndianapolis, IN$121KDetroit, MI$121KNashville, TN$130K

Land a $127K+ HR Manager Role in Virginia Beach

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Human Resources roles