Highest Paying HR Jobs in India 2025

By Rahul Karthikeyan

Updated on Sep 23, 2025 | 10 min read | 922.54K+ views

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Did You Know? According to recent reports show the HR outsourcing market in India was valued at USD 8.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 13.9 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 5.5%. 

What are the highest paying HR jobs in India? Top jobs like CHRO, HR Director, Talent Acquisition Head, HR Business Partner, and Compensation Manager offer salaries between INR 8L to INR 80L a year. These job positions carry big responsibilities, from shaping company culture to driving talent strategies and supporting business growth.  

In this blog, we’ll guide you through HR jobs in India, including the highest-paying roles in 2025, essential skills to advance your career, HR job salary in India across experience levels, and insights into industries and cities offering the best opportunities for HR professionals.

 Do you want to level up your HR career? Check out our range of Management Courses and start preparing for your career growth!

What Are HR Jobs in India? Scope & Key Areas?  

Human Resource Management offers excellent earning potential, especially in senior and specialized roles. There is a range of positions in talent acquisition, employee relations, and senior roles like VP and CHRO. More experienced HR professionals tend to get higher salary packages.   

Want to solidify your HR career? Explore our top courses in management and HR to learn relevant skills:  

Human Resources (HR) covers a broad set of roles. Some of the main functions are:

  • Talent acquisition & recruitment 
  • Learning & development 
  • Compensation & benefits 
  • Employee engagement, wellness & culture 
  • HR operations, payroll, compliance 
  • HR analytics & workforce planning 
  • Strategic HR management & leadership (HR business partner, HR director, CHRO) 

Salary Trends in HR Jobs in India: Freshers to Leadership 

The HR salary in India depends on experience, company type, and role. From HR jobs in India for freshers to mid-level specialists, senior HR leaders, and even government HR jobs in India, the pay scale varies greatly. Let’s explore the salary ranges across different stages of HR careers. 

Salary for Freshers in HR Jobs in India 

Freshers starting their career in HR usually earn between ₹2.5 - ₹4.5 LPA, depending on company size, location, and role. Entry-level opportunities are widely available, especially in recruitment, payroll, and HR operations. 

Job Role 

Average Annual Salary (INR) 

HR Intern  73k - 4.05 LPA 
HR Assistant  1.2 - 5 LPA 
Talent Acquisition Executive  1.8 - 6.2 LPA 
Payroll Coordinator  1 - 5.4 LPA 
HR Trainee  1 - 4.2 LPA 
HR Operations Associate  2.1 - 7.5 LPA 

Salary for Mid-level HR Roles in India 

Professionals with 3–7 years of experience take up more specialized roles. These jobs often involve managing employee relations, compliance, and training. Many HR manager jobs in India also fall into this range. 

Job Role 

Average Annual Salary (INR) 

HR Generalist  2.7 - 11 LPA 
Employee Relations Specialist  4.5 - 11.5 LPA 
HR Analyst  2.5 - 9.2 LPA 
Payroll Manager  3.5 - 12.5 LPA 
HR Manager  3.3 - 15.8 LPA 

Salary for Senior & Leadership HR Roles in India 

At this stage, HR professionals move into strategic positions. Senior roles often include government HR jobs in India, private sector leadership, and top executive positions. These roles influence policies, business strategy, and workforce development. 

Job Role 

Average Annual Salary (INR) 

Senior HR Manager  7.1 - 35 LPA 
HR Business Partner (HRBP)  7.5 - 36 LPA 
Compensation & Benefits Head  16 - 35 LPA 
Talent Management Specialist  12 - 48 LPA 
Learning & Development Director  16 - 84 LPA 
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)  26 – 1.1 Cr 

Source: Ambition box 

Preparing to land an HR role? Read this guide on 50 Common HR Interview Questions with Answers for 2025

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Specific Role Breakdowns & Salary Ranges 

Here are some specific role types, where you’ll likely find different salary ranges or working modes. 

HR Manager Jobs in India 

Responsibilities: HR Managers handle recruitment, implement HR policies, ensure compliance, manage teams, prepare reports, and maintain employee relations. 
Salary Range: Typically, ₹3.3 – 19 LPA. In metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, senior HR Managers in large companies may earn ₹18 – 25 LPA or higher. 
Growth Path: HR Manager → Senior HR Manager → HR Director → Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). 

HR Work from Home HR Jobs in India 

Overview: Remote HR roles are growing, with common functions like recruitment, onboarding, HR operations, and employee engagement being handled virtually. 
Salary Range: Remote HR salaries usually align with office-based roles, averaging ₹3 – 12 LPA, depending on specialization. Roles in HR Analytics and Talent Acquisition often see higher pay. 
Growth Path: Remote HR Recruiter → Remote HR Business Partner → Remote HR Manager → Remote HR Director. 

Government HR Jobs in India / Govt HR Jobs in India 

Where They Exist: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), ministries, state HR departments, public universities, and government hospitals. 
Salary Range: Government HR executives generally earn ₹10.1 - 18.1 LPA, with benefits like pensions, allowances, and job security. While entry-level pay is modest, increments are steady with experience. 
Eligibility: Requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in HR/management, sometimes competitive exams, and relevant work experience. 

Industries & Cities: Where HR Pays More 

The salary for HR jobs in India is influenced not just by experience but also by the industry and location. Certain sectors offer higher pay scales for specialized roles, while metro cities consistently provide better packages due to higher demand and a higher cost of living. 

Industry / Sector 

Salary Trends & Insights 

IT / Tech / SaaS  Higher salaries, especially for roles in HR analytics, talent acquisition, remote workforce management, and global HR teams. 
E-commerce / Startups  Variable pay; can include higher incentives, performance bonuses, or equity. Risk levels are higher but so is growth potential. 
Healthcare / Pharma  Steady pay with good opportunities in HR compliance, employee relations, and welfare programs. 
Manufacturing / Retail  Salaries are stable but generally lower than IT; growth depends on company size and city location. 
Government HR Jobs in India  Strong job security, pensions, and benefits. Salary growth is structured but slower compared to private firms. 

Cities with the Highest HR Job Salary in India: 

Metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, and Chennai offer the best opportunities. These hubs attract multinational employers, provide faster career growth, and pay significantly higher salaries compared to Tier-2 cities. 

The table below compares average HR Manager salary across major metros to highlight city-wise variations. Salaries for other HR roles generally follow a similar trend, with Bengaluru and Mumbai leading the charts. 

City 

Average HR Manager Salary  

Bengaluru 

₹10,00,000 

Mumbai 

₹9,00,000 

Delhi NCR 

₹8,00,000 

Hyderabad 

₹9,00,000 

Chennai 

₹9,00,000 

Source: Glassdoor 

Skills & Qualifications Needed for HR Role  

To secure good HR roles and progress, these skills and qualifications help:

  • Educational background: Ideally a Bachelor’s in HR / Business / Psychology; a Master’s or MBA (HR) increases prospects. Certifications help (SHRM, CIPD, etc.). 
  • Technical skills: HR analytics, data tools (Excel, HRIS, ATS), understanding of laws & compliance, payroll systems. 
  • Soft skills: Communication, empathy, conflict resolution, stakeholder management. 
  • Familiarity with modern HR practices: remote/hybrid work policies, performance management, employee wellness, diversity & inclusion. 
  • Experience: internships or projects for freshers; leadership or ownership of processes for senior roles. 

How to Find the Right HR Job: For Freshers & Experienced 

Here are tips to navigate HR job search:

  • Build a strong resume focusing on HR relevant experiences even if small (volunteering, internships). 
  • Network with HR professionals, attend HR forums, webinars. 
  • Tailor applications: emphasize knowledge of HR tech tools, people skills, adaptability. 
  • For govt HR jobs, keep tabs on notifications, public service commission exams, PSU HR recruitments. 
  • Keep updating yourself on trends: remote work, HR analytics, AI tools in HR. 

Challenges & Trends in HR Hiring 

Some of the challenges and trends affecting hr jobs in india: 

  • Hiring Slowdown: According to recent reports, HR job postings in India fell by nearly 15% in 2024 compared to 2023, mainly due to automation, restructuring, and cost optimization. 
  • Shift to Strategic Roles: While transactional HRM functions are becoming automated, demand is rising for roles like HR Business Partners, People Analytics specialists, and Employee Experience managers
  • Rise of HR Technology: Adoption of HR tech tools, covering payroll, recruitment, workforce analytics, and performance management, is accelerating across industries. 
  • Outsourcing and Remote Work: Many organizations now outsource basic HR operations, while remote collaboration tools are reshaping how HR teams deliver employee engagement and talent management. 

These trends highlight that the future of HR is less about routine administration and more about strategic value creation within organizations. 

Also Read: Challenges in HRM  

Conclusion 

If you want to secure highest-paying HR jobs in India, you have some diverse opportunities across sectors like tech, finance, and manufacturing. However, most of these top-paying jobs require you to learn strategic HR management and be skilled in using Artificial Intelligence-backed strategies and methods to align with industry needs.  

So, how can you become an industry-ready HR professional? You can pursue upskilling courses and certifications that can help you learn the latest skills. At upGrad, we have multiple HR courses for you, where you learn through real-world projects and at your own schedule.  

Here’s a list of the courses provided by upGrad that will help you in your journey:  

Not sure where to start? Book a free 1:1 counseling call with our experts or visit upGrad’s offline centers to explore more learning opportunities. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kinds of HR roles are available for freshers in India?

Freshers can take up roles such as HR coordinator, junior recruiter, HR assistant, payroll assistant, or HR operations. These roles help build foundational skills before moving up. 

2. How much does an HR salary in India increase with experience?

Typically, from entry level to mid-level, salaries can double or more in 3-5 years depending on role, industry, and specialization. Senior roles or leadership positions see steeper increases. 

3. Are remote HR jobs well paid compared to on-site roles?

They can be comparable or slightly lower depending on company policy, but remote roles offer flexibility. Specialized remote HR roles in analytics or talent acquisition often pay well. 

4. What education is required for government HR jobs in India?

Bachelor’s degree is minimum; many government HR positions ask for graduation or post-graduation. Sometimes exams or certifications may be required depending on the agency.

5. Do HR salaries differ much across Indian cities?

Yes. Cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR tend to pay higher than smaller towns. Cost of living, demand, company size influence how much more. 

6. What is a realistic salary for a HR Manager in India in 2025?

A HR Manager in many companies can make between ₹6-12 lakh/year, while in big companies or in metros it might be ₹18-25 lakh/year or more depending on experience and responsibilities. 

7. What benefits do government HR jobs usually include?

They often include job security, pensions or pension-like schemes, allowances (housing, travel etc.), leave policies, sometimes better work-life balance. 

8. What are “HRBP” or HR Business Partner roles, and how are they paid?

HR Business Partner roles involve strategic alignment of HR with business goals, stakeholder management, influencing leadership. These roles are mid to senior level and often pay higher than operational roles, depending on company. 

9. Is specialization (like compensation, L&D, analytics) beneficial for HR salary growth?

Yes. Specialists in Compensation & Benefits, Learning & Development, HR Analytics often command better salaries and faster growth than generalist roles.

10. How is the pay structure in HR (base + bonus, perks etc.) in India?

Many HR roles include base salary plus performance bonus. Higher roles may include stock options especially in startups. Perks like health insurance, travel allowances, remote work options are common.

11. Are there good HR work from home jobs in India?

Yes. Regions like recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, compliance, remotely managed operations etc., often offer work from home or hybrid arrangements. 

12. What is HR job salary in India for freshers?

Freshers might expect roughly ₹3-5 lakh/year, depending on city, company size, and whether they bring any relevant internships or special skills.

13. What are the challenges facing HR professionals today?

Challenges include automation reducing administrative roles, keeping up with evolving tech (HRIS, analytics), remote/hybrid workforce management, employee retention, and regulatory compliance. 

14. Which industries have highest demand for HR jobs in India?

Industries such as IT/Tech, startups, e-commerce, fintech, and companies with global operations tend to demand HR talent more, especially in strategic or analytical roles. 

15. How important is HR analytics for modern HR jobs?

Yes. HR analytics is becoming a core requirement in modern HR jobs in India. Professionals who can apply data-driven insights in hiring, retention, performance, and employee engagement are in high demand. These roles often come with higher salaries and faster promotions, as companies value HR experts who can connect people strategies with business outcomes.

16. Do HR jobs in India provide good growth into leadership roles?

Yes. HR jobs in India offer strong long-term growth opportunities. With consistent performance, specialized expertise, and proven leadership skills, professionals can advance from roles like HR Manager to Senior HR Manager, HR Director, and eventually Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

17. Is there demand for government HR jobs in India currently?

There is demand, though government roles often have slower hiring cycles, more competitive entry, and structured growth. They are more stable but sometimes lower paying than private roles. 

18. Are HR job prospects changing with AI and automation?

Yes. Automation is reducing need for some administrative HR tasks, but there is increased demand for strategic roles, HRIS, analytics, people-experience, remote workforce management.

19. What skills should HR professionals focus on to stay relevant?

Focus on data analysis, tech tools (HR software, remote collaboration platforms), people & emotional intelligence, legal and compliance knowledge, diversity / inclusion, strategic thinking. 

20. How can someone break into HR from a non-HR background?

Build transferable skills: communication, project coordination, people skills. Get certifications or short courses in HR fundamentals. Start with junior roles that don’t require heavy HR domain experience, network and try internships or volunteer work in HR. 

References: 

https://www.openpr.com/news/4014455/india-human-resource-outsourcing-market-expected-to-rise-at
https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Human_Resources_(HR)_Intern/Salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-assistant-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/talent-acquisition-executive-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/payroll-coordinator-salary?experience=1
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-trainee-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-associate-operations-salary?page=2
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-generalist-salary?experience=7
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/employee-relations-specialist-salary?experience=7
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-analyst-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/talent-management-specialist-salary?experience=7
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/payroll-manager-salary?experience=7
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-manager-salary?experience=7
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https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-business-partner-salary?experience=13
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https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/director-learning-and-development-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/chief-human-resource-officer-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/hr-manager-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/salaries/government-of-india-salaries/hr-executive
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/bangalore-hr-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,9_IM1091_KO10,20.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/mumbai-hr-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IM1070_KO7,17.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/new-delhi-hr-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,9_IM1083_KO10,20.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/hyderabad-hr-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,9_IM1076_KO10,20.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/chennai-hr-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IM1067_KO8,18.htm
https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/recruitment/navigating-change-the-decline-of-hr-hiring-in-india-and-the-path-forward/113973048

Rahul Karthikeyan

35 articles published

Rahul Karthikeyan is the former Head of Digital Marketing and now serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Scaler (InterviewBit), with over 15 years of experience in ed-tech marketing and brand leadership...

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