Aberdeen, Northampton, London, Huddersfield, Slough and Warwick have emerged as the top towns and cities in the UK for HR professionals, according to a study conducted by HR systems provider, Ciphr. The research examined employment data and local area information for 100 major towns and cities, considering factors such as average earnings, the number of medium and large employers and housing affordability.
Aberdeen secured the top spot in the rankings, showcasing consistent performance across multiple criteria. The city boasts the second-highest average salary for HR managers at £50,450, indicating attractive earning potential for professionals in the field. Furthermore, Aberdeen has a high business density per capita, with around 17.2 medium and large businesses per 10,000 working-age adults. This suggests a favourable employment landscape within the area.
The study also found Aberdeen to be among the top fifth in terms of housing affordability. With an average monthly rent of £786, which represents 19% of an HR manager's salary and an average property cost of £187,543 (3.7 times the average HR manager's salary), Aberdeen offers reasonably priced housing options.
Northampton secured the second position in the rankings, offering HR managers an average salary of £42,850, which is over a third higher than the average full-time wage across all occupations in West Northamptonshire. The town also boasts a higher-than-average business density, with 16.3 businesses employing over 50 people per 10,000 working-age adults.
London, despite its lower ranking in terms of housing affordability (95th), placed third on the list due to its abundant job opportunities. The UK capital hosts the highest number of medium and large businesses (over 50 employees) at 10,060. HR managers in London earn an average salary of £50,350 but housing costs pose a challenge, with typical homes averaging 14.5 times earnings (£731,178) and over a third of wages being spent on rent (£1,475 per month on average).
Beyond the top three, Huddersfield, Slough and Warwick also featured prominently in the rankings. These locations offer a mix of competitive salaries, business density and housing affordability.
When examining the UK cities that pay HR managers the highest salaries on average, Chichester claimed the top spot, offering an average salary of £51,800 per year. This figure surpasses the UK average for HR managers (£44,050) by 18%. Chichester's average HR manager salary also exceeds the city's average full-time wage by over £21,000, showcasing the lucrative nature of HR roles in the area.
Other cities that pay HR managers significantly more than the average full-time worker include Oldham (£43,400), Blackpool (£40,600), Bury (£42,300) and Newcastle-under-Lyme (£42,050). These cities present attractive opportunities for HR professionals seeking higher earnings and better career prospects.
While the study focused on key factors such as average salaries, business density, and housing affordability, it is important to note that there are other crucial aspects to consider when making career decisions. Factors such as work-life balance, flexible working hours, employee benefits, job security, satisfaction and learning and development opportunities should also be taken into account.
The study provides valuable insights into the UK towns and cities that offer favourable job opportunities and attractive conditions for HR and people management professionals. As with any career decision, individuals should carefully evaluate all relevant factors to make an informed choice that aligns with their personal and professional goals.
