Head of HR Salary UK 2026/27: Regional Differences and Take-Home Pay

Head of HR Salary: What You Can Expect in 2026/27

The role of head of HR – whether titled HR Director, Head of People, or CHRO – commands a wide range of salaries across the UK. Understanding the typical head of hr salary for your region and seniority level is essential for career planning and negotiating your next role. This article uses the latest UK pay data to break down gross salaries, take-home pay after tax and National Insurance, and the key factors that influence earnings.

National Median Head of HR Salary

According to the Ashdown Group HR Salary Guide 2026, the national median salary for an HR Director (a common head of HR title) is £118,280. For a CHRO or Chief People Officer, the median rises to £162,087. At the senior manager level, a Head of HR might be classified as a Senior HR Manager or HR Business Partner, with a national median of around £65,000 according to SavingTool.co.uk estimates.

These figures are from recruitment surveys and online calculators, not official ONS ASHE data, but they reflect current market rates. The UK full-time median salary across all occupations is about £39,039, so a head of HR typically earns well above average.

Regional Differences in Head of HR Salary

Location has a major impact on pay. The table below shows median HR Director salaries from the Ashdown Group guide:

Region	Median Gross Salary
London	£135,000
South East	£125,000
East of England	£120,536
Scotland	£118,421
West Midlands	£117,391
East Midlands	£117,391
South West	£116,379
Yorkshire	£113,445
North West	£113,445
North East	£112,500
Wales	£111,570

London salaries are about 14% above the national median, while Wales and the North East are around 5% below. For head of HR roles at smaller organisations or in the public sector, salaries may be lower – typically £60,000–£80,000 for a standalone head of HR.

Take-Home Pay for a Head of HR

To understand your net income, you need to deduct Income Tax and National Insurance. For the 2026/27 tax year, the bands are:

• Personal Allowance: £12,570 (0% tax)
• Basic rate: 20% on earnings £12,571–£50,270
• Higher rate: 40% on earnings £50,271–£125,140
• Additional rate: 45% on earnings above £125,140
• Employee NI: 8% on earnings £12,570–£50,270, 2% above £50,270

Example: A head of HR earning the national median of £118,280 (England, no pension, no student loan) would pay:

• Income Tax: ~£33,000
• National Insurance: ~£3,700
• Take-home pay: ~£81,580 (about £6,798 per month)

If you contribute 5% to a workplace pension (£5,914), your taxable income reduces, and take-home falls to roughly £77,000. Use the take-home calculator to see your exact figures.

For a Senior HR Manager earning £65,000, SavingTool estimates take-home of £48,258 after tax and NI (no pension).

Seniority and Sector Effects

Head of HR salaries are strongly influenced by organisation size and sector. The Ashdown Group notes that HR managers in FTSE-sized businesses often earn 30–40% more than peers in SMEs or local authorities. CIPD’s 2024 Reward Management Survey found a median HR manager salary of £49,000 nationally, with HR Business Partners earning £5,000–£10,000 more than generalist managers.

At the top end, CHROs at FTSE 100 companies can earn £200,000–£400,000+ including bonuses and long-term incentives. For most head of HR roles, the range is £80,000–£150,000 nationally.

Factors That Affect Your Take-Home

• Pension contributions: Most heads of HR contribute to a workplace pension, reducing taxable income but also net pay.
• Student loan repayments: Plan 2 or Plan 5 loans deduct 9% of earnings above £27,295 (Plan 2) or £25,000 (Plan 5).
• Scottish Income Tax: If you live in Scotland, different tax bands apply – the starter rate is 19%, basic 20%, intermediate 21%, higher 42%, and top rate 47%. This can reduce take-home compared to England.
• Benefits in kind: Company car, private medical insurance, or bonus payments may affect your tax code.

Always check your payslip and official GOV.UK guidance. For more salary comparisons, see our salary articles and salary data.

Summary

The typical head of hr salary in the UK ranges from £65,000 for senior manager roles to £118,000+ for HR Director positions, with London commanding a premium. Take-home pay after tax and NI is roughly 69% of gross for higher-rate earners, but pension and other deductions can reduce it further. Use the resources on After Tax Salary to plan your finances.

FAQs

What is the average head of hr salary in the UK?

The average head of hr salary depends on seniority. For an HR Director (often equivalent to head of HR), the national median is about £118,000 according to the Ashdown Group 2026 salary guide. For a Senior HR Manager / HR Business Partner, the median is around £65,000. Salaries are higher in London and the South East, and lower in the North East and Wales.

How much take-home pay does a head of HR receive?

Take-home pay depends on gross salary, tax band, and deductions. For a head of HR earning £118,000 gross in England (2026/27), after Income Tax (approx. £33,000) and National Insurance (approx. £3,700), take-home is roughly £81,300 before any pension or student loan. If contributing 5% to a pension, take-home drops to about £77,000. Use the take-home calculator for a precise figure.

How does head of hr salary vary by region?

Regional variation is significant. The Ashdown Group guide shows HR Director median salaries: London £135,000, South East £125,000, East of England £120,500, West Midlands £117,400, Scotland £118,400, North East £112,500, Wales £111,600. London salaries are about 14% above the national median, while Wales and North East are about 5% below. Organisation size and sector also matter – FTSE companies pay 30–40% more than SMEs.