2025 Canada Human Resources Salaries and Hiring Trends

Human resources teams remain busy as companies call on them to conduct compensation and benefits reviews, recruit new staff, and manage policies around hybrid and on-site work. Professionals with strong technology skills are also needed for HR software updates and transitions.

To help address skills gaps on their teams, 49% of HR hiring managers are upskilling employees. To secure in-demand candidates, firms must be prepared to provide a competitive salary, plus compelling perks and benefits.

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Enter your city to localize national average salaries. Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, the company’s size and industry, and demand for the role.

Compensation and Benefits

Human Resources

Recruitment

Position Title

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Compensation Analyst

86000

93500

104500

Benefits Manager

80000

95000

110000

Benefits Specialist

72500

81750

89250

25th Percentile

The candidate is new to the role and building the needed skills, experience and autonomy.

50th Percentile

The candidate has the experience to perform core responsibilities without direct supervision and is comfortable with the role’s processes and subject matter.

75th Percentile

The candidate delivers value beyond the stated job duties, has advanced qualifications and experience, and is ready for the next career level.

Human Resources Hiring Trends in Canada

The search is on for tech-savvy talent

Increasingly, companies are looking for HR professionals comfortable using emerging tech tools like generative AI to create job postings and source candidates.

Many employers are looking to hire HR professionals with a deep understanding of labour laws in Canada — but these candidates are hard to find.

Organizations increasing HR salary levels to hire the skilled talent they need must be careful not to alienate existing staff by risking pay compression.

HR strategy and
execution AI and
automation Leadership/
management
experience HRM knowledge Compensation and
benefits
management HR strategy and
execution AI and
automation Leadership/
management
experience HRM knowledge Compensation and
benefits
management

Retention top of mind for HR managers

3 in 4 managers say it will likely be a challenge to keep team members motivated and engaged.

85% of HR managers are concerned about retention between now and the end of 2025.

57% of HR managers say they would consider offering flexible work schedules to employees to work on-site regularly.

Increasing
compensation Enhancing
professional
development Increasing
recognition
efforts Offering
retention bonuses Allowing hybrid
work options Increasing
compensation Enhancing
professional
development Increasing
recognition
efforts Offering
retention bonuses Allowing hybrid
work options

Human Resources Hiring at a Glance

Human resources jobs

Benefits specialist

HR manager

HR recruiter

Learning and development manager

Skills and certifications

AI-related skill sets

Bilingualism (English and French)

Certified human resources professional (CHRP)

Chartered professional in human resources (CPHR)

Corporate wellness/inclusive culture credentials

HRIS and HR software (Workday)

Human resources information program (HRIP)

Payroll applications and software (ADP)

Professional in human resources (PHR)

Industries hiring most

Construction

Finance/insurance/real estate

Health care

Manufacturing

Professional services

Transportation/public utilities

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How do we determine our salary figures and benchmarks? See our methodology.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents included hiring managers and employees from small (1-99 employees), midsize (100-999 employees) and large (1,000-10,000 or more employees) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.