The Bottom Line
PayScale reviewed the impact of the PHR and SPHR certifications on the careers of HR professionals and found
that acquiring the certification sweetened the careers of most HR positions. Either certification led to faster career
growth and higher median pay. The positive impact of the credentials could be seen across job titles, industries,
genders and geographies.
Methodology
Using its database of more than 40 million salary profiles and 250 compensable factors, PayScale analyzed
various aspects of Human Resources (HR) positions, comparing results for professionals with and without a
Professional Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
Limiting its research to data from March 2012 to March 2013, PayScale determined how HR positions for those
holding a PHR or SPHR designation differ from those without either certification in terms of pay levels nationally,
across 10 industries and the 10 largest metropolitan areas and by gender. Additionally, PayScale provided further
analysis comparing company sizes and career progression.
Definitions
Total Cash Compensation (TCC): TCC combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit
sharing, tips, commissions, and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable. It does not include equity (stock)
compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or value of other non-cash benefits (e.g., healthcare).
Median Annual Pay with PHR/SPHR: This is the median, annual total cash compensation (TCC) for a person
with the specified HR job title, holding the Professional in Human Resources or Senior Professional in Human
Resources certification.
% Pay Increase for PHR/SPHR Holders: This is the percentage increase in median, annual pay for those with a
PHR/SPHR over those without.
Median Pay Calculations: There were no restrictions on company size, experience level, or other job
qualifications when calculating the median pay figures. All pay figures are in 2013 dollars.
Job Title 5 Years Ago: In PayScale’s survey, users are asked what their job title was five years ago. This data
was used to calculate the ratio of HR professionals whose job title five years ago was a lower level title than their
current title for those with and without the PHR and SPHR.
All HR Job Titles: This group of jobs includes Human Resources (HR) Assistant, HR Administrator, HR
Generalist, HR Manager, HR Director and Vice President, HR.