Human Resources Specialist
Recruit, hire, onboard and support employees while keeping the company compliant.
- $75,940
- 1–4 years
Business & Office career
Human Resources Manager
Also called: HR Manager · HR Director · People Operations Manager · HR Business Partner
What human resources managers 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 a human resources manager do?
Human resources managers plan, direct and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization, overseeing recruiting, interviewing and hiring, and serving as a link between management and employees. The median pay is $149,280 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of HR experience, and employment is projected to grow +5.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$149,280$71.77/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.5%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year16,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train5+ years of HR experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs224,900Employment, 2025
What human resources managers do
HR managers lead the people side of an organization. They oversee recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, policies, training and compliance, advise leaders on people issues and manage HR staff.
Most have a bachelor’s degree and five or more years of HR experience. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Lead HR staff
- Oversee recruiting and hiring
- Handle employee relations
- Manage performance programs
- Write and enforce policies
- Ensure legal compliance
- Advise leaders
Work environment and schedule
HR managers work in offices in every industry.
Schedule: Full time, sometimes with extra hours for investigations or layoffs.
A day in the life
- Review open positions.
- Meet a manager about a performance issue.
- Investigate a complaint.
- Lunch with new hires.
See a full day in the life of a human resources manager →
Human Resources Manager salary
Half of human resources managers earned more than $149,280 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $88,200 for the lowest 10% to $267,810 for the top 10%.
Full human resources manager pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a human resources manager
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Work as an HR assistant or specialist
- Become a generalist
- Earn SHRM or HRCI credentials
- Become a manager
A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business or a related field is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a human resources manager →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Employment law
- Employee relations
- Recruiting
- Performance management
- Policy writing
People skills
- Confidentiality
- Empathy
- Judgment
- Communication
All human resources manager skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay
- Shape workplace culture
- Every organization needs HR
- Strategic role
Cons
- Difficult conversations
- Legal risk
- Stuck between staff and leaders
- Emotional situations
Certifications and licenses
- SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP: SHRM credentials.
- PHR or SPHR: HRCI credentials.
- Employment law training: Helpful.
- Master’s in HR: Optional.
Career path
- HR Assistant: Entry.
- HR Generalist: Broad role.
- HR Manager: Lead HR.
- VP or CHRO: Lead people strategy.
Learn the job before day one
Our Human Resources Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as investigate a workplace complaint and coach a manager through a performance conversation, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Training and Development Manager
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Compensation and Benefits Manager
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Compare: Human Resources Manager vs. HR Specialist · Human Resources Manager vs. Labor Relations Specialist · Human Resources Manager vs. Training and Development Manager · Human Resources Manager vs. Compensation and Benefits Manager
Human Resources Manager FAQ
What credentials do HR managers have?
Often SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR.
Do HR managers need a master’s?
Not usually, but some have one.
Is HR growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does a human resources manager make?
The median annual wage for human resources managers was $149,280 ($71.77 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $88,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $267,810.
How long does it take to become a human resources manager?
Most people need about 5+ years of HR experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business or a related field is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a human resources manager?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More human resources manager questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-3121 (Human resources managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Human resources managers (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.