HR directors could top $175,000 in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary: report
Human resources professionals are taking on increasingly strategic responsibilities as employers compete for skilled talent, adapt to changing workplace expectations and invest in new HR technologies.
As a result, many employers are offering higher compensation to professionals with expertise in areas such as talent strategy, compensation, workforce planning and HR systems rather than increasing salaries across the board, according to Robert Half.
Its 2027 Salary Guide provides projected salaries for hundreds of positions across six professional fields, including HR. The salary ranges reflect base salaries for new hires across all levels of experience.
HR roles in Canada. are set to see smaller salary gains for new hires in 2027 than the in-demand positions in other professional fields, according to the survey.
Salary ranges predicted for Canadian cities
In Vancouver, projected salaries for HR in 2027 come out seven per cent above the national average. An HR director is expected to see a low range of $117,968, a mid-range of $153,545 and a high range of $176,818.
An HR manager would start at $93,893, rise to $117,165 for the midlevel and reach $150,870 for the high range.
In Toronto, projected salaries for HR in 2027 come out eight per cent above the national average. An HR director is expected to see a low range of $119,070, a mid-range of $154,980 and a high range of $178,470.
An HR manager would start at $94,770, rise to $118,260 for the midlevel and reach $152,280 for the high range.
In Montreal, projected salaries for HR in 2027 come out two per cent above the national average. An HR director is expected to see a low range of $112,455, a mid-range of $146,370 and a high range of $168,555.
An HR manager would start at $89,505, rise to $111,690 for the midlevel and reach $143,820 for the high range.
In Calgary, projected salaries for HR in 2027 come out six per cent above the national average. An HR director is expected to see a low range of $116,865, a mid-range of $152,110 and a high range of $175, 165.
An HR manager would start at $93,015, rise to $116,070 for the midlevel and reach $149,460 for the high range.
In Halifax, projected salaries for HR in 2027 come out 6.5 per cent below the national average. An HR director is expected to see a low range of $103,084, a mid-range of $134,173 and a high range of $154,509.
An HR manager would start at $82,046, rise to $102,383 for the midlevel and reach $131,835 for the high range.
Looking at some of the larger cities across Canada for an HR generalist role, the survey predicts starting salaries for 2027 of:
Eight higher-paying HR jobs in Canada
The following are eight of the higher-paying HR positions included in the 2027 Canada Salary Guide. The figures shown are national midpoint starting salaries. Actual starting compensation can vary based on location, experience, specialized skills, certifications and organizational needs:
- HR director: $143,500
- Senior talent acquisition manager: $118,250
- Compensation manager: $112,750
- HR manager: $109,500
- HRIS manager: $104,250
- Talent acquisition manager: $101,000
- Learning and development manager: $100,500
- Benefits manager: $100,000
Roles requiring specialized skills in areas such as compensation, Robert Half says benefits and recruitment are expected to have salary growth above the projected +1.1% average for HR positions:
- 2.3% benefits manager
- 1.8% HR assistant
- 1.6% compensation analyst
- 1.6% talent acquisition specialist
Ontario’s latest “sunshine list” showed that human resources and people‑strategy leaders are among the best‑paid executives in the provincial public sector, with several HR execs earning well over $350,000 in 2025.
