Human Resources Managers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $39,280 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 39.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $59,830 | +$23,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $76,950 | +$28,640 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $100,750 | +$39,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $131,660 | +$58,300 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $165,790 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $108,100 | +$52,380 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Human Resources Managers or Project Management Specialists?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,280 (39.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Human Resources Managers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS