People throw around the benefits of qualifications all the time, and let us tell you, it’s all true.
Doing more, being more, helping more. That’s what a qualification, whether it’s a CIPD Level 3 or Level 5. The idea of rising through the ranks is a noble one, but we live in a world where value is linked to salary, so let’s answer the question: How much should I earn when I complete a Level 3 or Level 5 CIPD course with HRC Online?
Oh, and you don’t have to read a load of fluff either, or sign up for a download. We used data from Hayes’ Salary Guide for HR 2024, along with our own expertise in what job roles people get when they graduate.
CIPD Level 3 Qualification = £25-30k
This level is suitable for entry-level HR roles, such as HR Administrator or HR Assistant.
- HR Administrator: The average salary for an HR Administrator across regions varies but is around £25,000-£30,000 per year
CIPD Level 5 Qualification = £33-51k depending on experience.
This qualification often leads to mid-level HR roles, such as HR Advisor or HR Business Partner.
- HR Advisor: The average salary for an HR Advisor ranges between £33,000 and £38,000 per year, depending on the region(Salary guide 2024 – Hum…).
- HR Business Partner: For an HR Business Partner, average salaries vary from £46,000 to £51,800 per year, with higher salaries in regions like London and the South East
What does ‘should’ mean?
It’s useful to know as a HR specialist what goes into pay packages and structures. Here are five of the main factors that will put your salary in the upper or lower end of those pay ranges.
Location
Location is an enormous factor when it comes to pay. A job in London, that might include “London weighting.” could be 10 to 20% more money than the same job in Manchester, Newcastle or Birmingham. This means a £25k job outside London, could be worth £5k a year more inside.
Experience
A qualification is an important part of your growth, but, and you won’t hear many qualification providers say this, experience is also important to. Entry level roles like HR assistants could be on as low as £23.000 per year, where as five years experience in the industry, even with the same qualification, could lead to salaries of upwards of £30,000.
Studying before Applying
Being able to walk into an interview and stating you already have a qualification is a great starting point for good salary negotiations. The majority of companies are happy to provide support while you are on the job, even funding CIPD level qualifications. But a big factor for employers is ease of integrating employees into the team, and a qualification on a CV demonstrates knowledge, commitment and an understanding of HR.
Industry
If we take a higher job range than Level 3 and 5 and look at HR Directors, the industry you work in can be an enormous difference. A HR director at a London based financial services institution could earn £90,000 to £120,000 per year. A similar role in a charity or not-for profit could be around £50,000. There is obviously more than just money for deciding about a job, but the differences are still striking.
Company Size
Larger corporations offer higher salaries, with HR Managers in large companies earning £65,000 compared to smaller businesses where the salary is typically closer to £45,000-£50,000.
Further Reading:
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salary/Hays-HR-Manager-Salaries-E10166_D_KO5,15.htm
