Human resources professionals are in line for an average rise of 5 percent of base salary this year, according to the latest Salary Survey from specialist professional recruiter, Robert Walters.

A greater number are also set to move towards the upper end of the typical salary bracket for their role and profession, in a sign that employers are prepared to spend more to retain quality staff. Big winners include financial services compensation and benefits specialists, who have seen their stock rise as the sector is made to comply with new domestic and European Union regulations.

Those with management information and analytics expertise are also commanding a premium as employers look to make better use of HR data in informing their decisions. Across the UK, salaries are rising fastest in the North – by an average of 7 percent – thanks to a spate of relocations of core and back office business functions, leading to rising competition for HR professionals. Vicky Salt, Manager of Human Resources Recruitment at Robert Walters, comments: “The theme in 2015 is one of returning positivity and growing market confidence, with many companies turning from cost-reduction strategies towards attracting, engaging and retaining professional staff.

“We expect to see demand continue to rise across a variety of roles, from learning & development to compensation and change management, with heightened competition for candidates leading to rising salary levels and an increasing number of counter-offers. Hiring managers will need to move quickly to secure top talent this year, and should note that many HR specialists are increasingly confident of their worth in the market, leading to greater expectations around pay and benefits.”