Hiring for Human Resources in Mainland China
The 2025 HR market remains flat, with hiring largely driven by restructuring and transformation rather than new growth. While demand for Centre of Excellence (COE) roles has contracted, senior HRBP roles remain resilient.
Hiring cycles have lengthened as firms conduct more rigorous assessments for the scarce, newly created roles.
In-Demand Human Resources Roles in Mainland China
- Human Resources Vice Presidents (HRVP)/ Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO)
- HRBP Heads
- Total Management & Organisational Development (TMOD) Heads
- Total Rewards Heads
In-Demand Human Resources Skills in Mainland China
- Business acumen
- Organisational design and change leadership
- Agility
- Stakeholder communication and management
- Resilience under pressure
Up, Down, or Flat? Human Resources Salary Trends in Mainland China
HR compensation in 2025 has declined slightly, with a significant reduction in the typical salary uplifts seen during job moves. A 10% increase is now considered a strong offer compared to the 20–30% premiums previously seen in the market.
This conservative trend is expected to persist into 2026, with pay premiums strictly reserved for roles with direct business impact.
Human Resources salaries in Mainland China
| Job Title |
Search job title
|
Sub Sector | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job Title | Sector | Sub Sector | Location | Low | Average | High |
CHRO / HRVP |
HR Generalist | Shanghai | ¥2,000,000 | ¥2,500,000 | ¥3,500,000 | |
HR Director |
HR Generalist | Shanghai | ¥1,200,000 | ¥1,800,000 | ¥2,500,000 | |
HRBP Director / Head |
HRBP | Shanghai | ¥900,000 | ¥1,200,000 | ¥2,300,000 | |
HRBP Manager |
HRBP | Shanghai | ¥450,000 | ¥600,000 | ¥800,000 | |
HR Specialist |
HRBP | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥300,000 | |
Talent Acquisition Director |
Talent Acquisition | Shanghai | ¥900,000 | ¥1,500,000 | ¥2,500,000 | |
Talent Acquisition Manager |
Talent Acquisition | Shanghai | ¥400,000 | ¥600,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Talent Acquisition Specialist |
Talent Acquisition | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥225,000 | ¥300,000 | |
Learning & Development Director |
Learning & Development | Shanghai | ¥900,000 | ¥1,200,000 | ¥1,500,000 | |
Learning & Development Manager |
Learning & Development | Shanghai | ¥350,000 | ¥500,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Learning & Development Specialist |
Learning & Development | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥400,000 | |
Talent Management Director |
Talent Management | Shanghai | ¥1,200,000 | ¥1,500,000 | ¥2,000,000 | |
Talent Management Manager |
Talent Management | Shanghai | ¥350,000 | ¥600,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Talent Management Specialist |
Talent Management | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥400,000 | |
Organizational Development Director |
Organizational Development | Shanghai | ¥1,200,000 | ¥1,500,000 | ¥2,000,000 | |
Organizational Development Manager |
Organizational Development | Shanghai | ¥350,000 | ¥675,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Compensation & Benefits Director |
Compensation & Benefits | Shanghai | ¥975,000 | ¥1,500,000 | ¥2,000,000 | |
Compensation & Benefits Manager |
Compensation & Benefits | Shanghai | ¥375,000 | ¥600,000 | ¥900,000 | |
Compensation & Benefits Specialist |
Compensation & Benefits | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥225,000 | ¥300,000 | |
Employee Branding Manager |
Employee Branding | Shanghai | ¥300,000 | ¥450,000 | ¥750,000 | |
Employee Branding Specialist |
Employee Branding | Shanghai | ¥150,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥350,000 | |
Shared Service Director / Head |
Shared Service | Shanghai | ¥800,000 | ¥1,000,000 | ¥1,800,000 | |
Shared Service Manager |
Shared Service | Shanghai | ¥300,000 | ¥500,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Shared Service Specialist |
Shared Service | Shanghai | ¥120,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥300,000 | |
Admin Manager / Office Manager |
Admin / Business Support | Shanghai | ¥300,000 | ¥450,000 | ¥800,000 | |
Executive Assistant |
Admin / Business Support | Shanghai | ¥150,000 | ¥250,000 | ¥500,000 | |
Personal Assistant |
Admin / Business Support | Shanghai | ¥150,000 | ¥300,000 | ¥600,000 |
