Is Your HR Salary Where It Should Be? Here’s Why Upskilling Might Be the Key

If you’re working in HR in Ontario, you’ve probably wondered whether your salary reflects your experience and the value you bring. With more conversations happening around pay equity and market competitiveness, it’s a good time to take stock of where your compensation stands.

Below is a snapshot of typical salary ranges for common HR roles in Ontario. This data reflects a variety of experience and includes a variety of sectors across the province.

Position	Low	Median	High
HR Coordinator	$53,220	$68,274	$75,396
HR Generalist	$65,523	$82,443	$97,356
HR Business Partner	$81,722	$95,859	$108,178
HR Manager	$86,611	$108,134	$151,292

Sources: Robert Half 2025 Canada Salary Guide; Randstad 2025 Salary Guide; Government of Canada Job Bank.

What Affects These Numbers

Salaries can vary quite a bit depending on your specific situation. Things like company size, industry, years of experience, credentials and the scope of your role all play a part. Someone working in HR at a startup will likely see different compensation than someone with a similar title at a national financial institution.

If your salary falls below these benchmarks, it might not just be about the employer. It could also be a sign that your skills or credentials need to evolve to match the expectations of the current market.

Upskilling Could Be the Missing Link

HR roles today are more strategic, more data-informed and more people-focused than ever before. Employers are looking for HR professionals who can do more than manage admin. They want people who can support business strategy, influence culture and lead change.

If you’re not seeing your compensation keep pace, it may be time to consider where you can grow. The good news is there are lots of ways to do that without going back to school or stepping away from your current role.

Where to Focus Your Development

If you’re looking to grow your impact and earning potential in HR, here are some areas that go beyond the basics and align with where the field is heading in Canada:

• Pay Equity Analysis

  As provinces like Ontario introduce more pay transparency expectations, knowing how to conduct internal pay audits and job evaluations is a major asset. Upskilling in this area positions you to support compliance and lead more equitable compensation strategies.

• AI Literacy for HR

  AI is becoming more integrated into recruitment, performance management and workforce analytics. Understanding how these tools work, and how to evaluate them ethically, can help you stay ahead of the curve and contribute to smarter decision-making.

• Trauma-Informed HR Practice

  Post-pandemic, there's a heightened awareness of mental health and psychological safety. Training in trauma-informed leadership helps HR professionals create supportive policies and manage sensitive employee issues with care and credibility.

• ESG and Social Impact in HR

  HR is increasingly responsible for driving the "social" in ESG reporting. Learning how to support workforce sustainability, equity metrics and community engagement efforts can elevate your role as a strategic contributor.

• Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

  If you work in or plan to move into unionized environments, gaining confidence in grievance handling, arbitration processes and labour law is a game-changer. Microcredentials from Canadian institutions can help you build that foundation.

• Workforce Data Storytelling

  It’s not just about having the data, it’s about making it meaningful. Learning how to translate HR metrics into clear, compelling insights (think dashboards or board presentations) increases your influence in leadership conversations.

• Indigenous Inclusion and Cultural Competency

  Truth and Reconciliation isn’t just a national priority, it’s a workplace one. Programs focused on Indigenous inclusion in employment practices help HR professionals lead more culturally competent and respectful hiring and retention efforts.

• Scenario Planning and Future of Work Strategy

  The best HR professionals plan ahead instead of just reacting. Training in strategic foresight, future workforce mapping and trend analysis can help you shape long-term people strategies that align with evolving business needs.

• Employment Law Across Provinces

  With more remote and hybrid teams spread across Canada, understanding how provincial legislation varies is key. Legal workshops and HR law seminars can help you manage compliance with confidence, no matter where your employees are based.

You Deserve to Know Your Value

Getting paid fairly starts with knowing what’s reasonable for your role and experience. From there, it’s about identifying what might be holding you back and finding ways to grow your skills and confidence.

If you're not where you want to be financially, don’t wait for someone to offer you more. Build your case and make yourself impossible to overlook.

Need help with compensation or upskilling?

We work with organizations across Ontario to support pay equity, internal salary reviews and skill development for HR teams.

If you’re looking for support, reach out to start the conversation.