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Human Resources Specialist
Also called: HR Specialist · HR Generalist · Recruiter · HR Coordinator
What human resources specialists 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 specialist do?
Human resources specialists recruit and hire employees, manage onboarding, benefits and employee records, answer policy questions and help organizations comply with employment laws. The median pay is $75,940 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +6.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$75,940$36.51/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+6.4%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year73,700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train1–4 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs939,700Employment, 2025
What human resources specialists do
HR specialists handle the people side of business. They write job postings, screen candidates, coordinate interviews, extend offers, onboard new hires, complete employment verification, administer benefits, maintain records, address employee concerns and help managers apply policies fairly and legally.
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, often in human resources or business, though some people move into HR from administrative or recruiting roles. Certifications from SHRM and HRCI signal expertise and support advancement to HR manager.
Typical duties
- Recruit, screen and interview candidates
- Coordinate offers, background checks and onboarding
- Complete Form I-9 and maintain employee records
- Administer benefits enrollment and leave
- Answer employee questions about policies and pay
- Support investigations and employee relations issues
- Help ensure compliance with employment laws
Work environment and schedule
HR specialists work in offices across every industry, as well as for staffing and recruiting firms. Many roles are hybrid or remote, with some travel for recruiting events.
Schedule: Usually full-time weekday hours, with occasional evenings for recruiting events or busy periods like open enrollment.
A day in the life
- Review new applications in the applicant tracking system and schedule phone screens.
- Run new-hire orientation and complete Form I-9 verification for three employees.
- Conduct structured interviews for a warehouse supervisor role with the hiring manager.
- Answer employee questions about FMLA leave and benefits.
See a full day in the life of a human resources specialist →
Human Resources Specialist salary
Half of human resources specialists earned more than $75,940 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,180 for the lowest 10% to $128,720 for the top 10%.
Full human resources specialist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a human resources specialist
- Get an education
- Get HR experience
- Learn the laws and systems
- Earn a certification
- Advance
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, often in human resources, business or psychology. Some HR coordinators enter with an associate degree or administrative experience and grow through certifications.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a human resources specialist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Recruiting and interviewing
- Employment law basics
- HRIS and ATS software
- Benefits administration
- Onboarding and I-9 compliance
People skills
- Confidentiality
- Empathy
- Communication
- Fairness and judgment
All human resources specialist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work in any industry
- Meaningful impact on people’s careers
- Strong pay and growth to HR management
- Hybrid and remote options
Cons
- Handling sensitive and emotional situations
- Complex, changing employment laws
- Balancing employee and employer interests
- Recruiting can be high-pressure
Certifications and licenses
- SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP: Society for Human Resource Management certifications.
- aPHR and PHR (HRCI): HR Certification Institute credentials, from entry level to professional.
- Talent acquisition certifications: Such as SHRM’s talent acquisition specialty credential.
- Benefits certifications (CEBS): Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.
Career path
- HR Assistant or Recruiting Coordinator: Support HR processes.
- HR Specialist or Recruiter: Own recruiting, onboarding or benefits.
- HR Generalist or Business Partner: Advise managers across HR topics.
- HR Manager or Director: Lead HR strategy and teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Human Resources Specialist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete form I-9 correctly and run a structured interview, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: HR Specialist vs. Administrative Assistant · HR Specialist vs. Project Manager · HR Specialist vs. Safety Specialist · HR Specialist vs. Customer Service Rep
Human Resources Specialist FAQ
Do you need a degree to work in HR?
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many people start in HR assistant or recruiting coordinator roles and grow through experience and certifications.
Which HR certification is best?
SHRM-CP and PHR are widely recognized. The aPHR is designed for people new to HR.
What’s the difference between HR specialist and HR generalist?
Specialists often focus on one area such as recruiting or benefits; generalists handle many HR functions.
How much does a human resources specialist make?
The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $75,940 ($36.51 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $128,720.
How long does it take to become a human resources specialist?
Most people need about 1–4 years of training. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, often in human resources, business or psychology. Some HR coordinators enter with an associate degree or administrative experience and grow through certifications.
Do you need a degree to be a human resources specialist?
Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many HR coordinators and recruiters start with administrative or recruiting experience and earn credentials such as the aPHR or SHRM-CP.
More human resources specialist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-1071 (Human resources specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Human resources specialists (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.