Human Resources Specialist
Recruit, hire, onboard and support employees while keeping the company compliant.
- $75,940
- 1–4 years
Business & Office career
HR Assistant
Also called: Human Resources Assistant · HR Coordinator · Personnel Clerk · HR Administrator
What HR assistants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an HR assistant do?
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping, maintain personnel records, process hiring paperwork and help with HR programs. The median pay is $50,610 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Short on-the-job training, and employment is projected to grow -6.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$50,610$24.33/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-6.2%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year7,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainShort on-the-job trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs96,500Employment, 2025
What HR assistants do
HR assistants keep the people paperwork moving. They post jobs, schedule interviews, run background checks, process new hire forms, update employee records, answer benefits and policy questions and help with HR events.
BLS lists an associate degree as typical. BLS projects a decline as HR software automates tasks, but it remains a common entry point to HR careers.
Typical duties
- Post jobs
- Schedule interviews
- Process new hire paperwork
- Update employee records
- Run background checks
- Answer employee questions
- Help with HR events
Work environment and schedule
HR assistants work in offices.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Post new job openings.
- Schedule interviews.
- Process I-9 forms.
- Answer benefits questions.
See a full day in the life of an HR assistant →
HR Assistant salary
Half of HR assistants earned more than $50,610 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,340 for the lowest 10% to $68,280 for the top 10%.
Full HR assistant pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an HR assistant
- Finish high school
- Earn an associate degree
- Get hired
- Earn the aPHR
- Advance
An associate degree is typical; some employers hire with a high school diploma and experience.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an HR assistant →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- HRIS data entry
- Recruiting support
- I-9 compliance
- Records management
- Benefits basics
People skills
- Confidentiality
- Organization
- Friendliness
- Accuracy
All HR assistant skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Entry to HR careers
- Office hours
- Variety of tasks
- Helping employees
Cons
- Declining employment
- Paperwork
- Confidential pressure
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- aPHR: Associate Professional in HR.
- SHRM-CP: Later credential.
- E-Verify training: Helpful.
- HR certificate: Community college.
Career path
- HR Assistant: Entry.
- HR Coordinator: Programs.
- HR Generalist: Broad HR.
- HR Manager: Lead HR.
Learn the job before day one
Our HR Assistant training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete an I-9 correctly and schedule interviews without back-and-forth, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Payroll Clerk
Make sure employees are paid correctly and on time.
- $58,260
- A few months on the job
Administrative Assistant
Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.
- $47,540
- Weeks to months
Human Resources Manager
Lead hiring, employee relations and people programs for an organization.
- $149,280
- 5+ years of HR experience
Compare: HR Assistant vs. HR Specialist · HR Assistant vs. Payroll Clerk · HR Assistant vs. Administrative Assistant · HR Assistant vs. Human Resources Manager
HR Assistant FAQ
Do HR assistants need a degree?
BLS lists an associate degree as typical.
What is the aPHR?
An entry HR credential from HRCI.
Is it a path to HR?
Yes, a common start.
How much does an HR assistant make?
The median annual wage for HR assistants was $50,610 ($24.33 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,340 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,280.
How long does it take to become an HR assistant?
Most people need about Short on-the-job training of training. An associate degree is typical; some employers hire with a high school diploma and experience.
Do you need a degree to be an HR assistant?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4161 (Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.