### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Human Resources Managers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			human resources managers imageHuman resources managers oversee an organization’s recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes.							
						Quick Facts:     Human Resources Managers2023     Median Pay
            						$136,350     per year
										$65.55     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    5 years or moreOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    191,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    10,000What Human Resources Managers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Human resources managers are employed in nearly every industry. They work in offices, and most work full time during regular business hours. Some travel to attend professional meetings or to recruit employees.
            
                                                How to Become a Human Resources Manager
                                                
                        
Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for human resources managers was $136,350 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of human resources managers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 15,500 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Human Resources Managers Do 
            

			Human resources managersHuman resources managers often coordinate the work of a team of specialists.			
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.
Duties
Human resources managers typically do the following:
Plan and coordinate an organization’s workforce to best use employees’ talents
Link an organization’s management with its employees
Plan and oversee employee benefit programs
Serve as a consultant to advise other managers on human resources issues, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment
Coordinate and supervise the work of specialists and support staff
Oversee an organization’s recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes
Handle staffing issues, such as mediating disputes and directing disciplinary proceduresOrganizations want to attract, motivate, and keep qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are well-suited. Human resources managers accomplish this aim by directing the administrative functions of human resources departments. Their work involves overseeing employee relations, securing regulatory compliance, and administering employee-related services such as payroll, training, and benefits. They supervise the department’s specialists and support staff and make sure that tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Human resources managers also consult with top executives regarding strategic planning and talent management. They identify ways to maximize the value of the organization’s employees and ensure that they are used efficiently. For example, they might assess worker productivity and recommend changes to help the organization meet budgetary goals.
Some human resources managers oversee all aspects of an organization’s human resources department, including the compensation and benefits program and the training and development program. In many larger organizations, these programs are directed by specialized managers, such as compensation and benefits managers and training and development managers.
The following are examples of types of human resources managers:
***Labor relations directors***, also called ***employee relations managers***, oversee employment policies in union and nonunion settings. They negotiate, draft, and administer labor contracts that cover issues such as wages, benefits, and union and management practices. They also handle labor complaints between employees and management, and they coordinate grievance procedures.
***Payroll managers*** supervise an organization’s payroll department. They ensure that all aspects of payroll are processed correctly and on time. They administer payroll procedures, prepare reports for the accounting department, and resolve payroll problems.
***Recruiting managers***, sometimes called ***staffing managers***, oversee the recruiting and hiring responsibilities of the human resources department. They often supervise a team of recruiters, and some take on recruiting duties for filling high-level positions. They must develop a recruiting strategy that helps them meet the staffing needs of their organization and compete effectively to attract the best employees.
 Work Environment
						

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Human resources managers held about 191,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of human resources managers were as follows:
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                15%Management of companies and enterprises
                13Manufacturing
                10Healthcare and social assistance
                8Government
                8Human resources managers work in offices. Some managers, especially those working for organizations that have offices nationwide, travel to visit other branches, attend professional meetings, or recruit employees.
Work Schedules
Most human resources managers work full time during regular business hours. Some human resources managers work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become a Human Resources Manager

			Human resources managersHuman resources managers typically need a combination of a bachelor's degree and work experience.			
Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although most positions require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree.
Education
Human resources managers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. The degree may be in human resources or another field, such as business, communications, or psychology. Courses in subjects such as conflict management may be helpful.
Some jobs may require a master’s degree in human resources, labor relations, or business administration (MBA).
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
To demonstrate abilities in organizing, directing, and leading others, human resources managers must have related work experience. Some managers start out as human resources specialists or labor relations specialists.
Management positions typically require an understanding of human resources programs, such as compensation and benefits plans; human resources software; and federal, state, and local employment laws.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although certification is voluntary, it shows professional expertise and credibility, and it may enhance job opportunities. Employers may prefer to hire candidates with certification, and some positions may require it. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), HR Certification Institute (HRCI), WorldatWork, and International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans are among many professional associations that offer certification programs.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Human resources managers need strong speaking, writing, and listening skills to give presentations and direct their staff.
***Decision-making skills.*** Human resources managers must be able to balance the strengths and weaknesses of different options and decide the best course of action.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Human resources managers regularly interact with people, such as to collaborate on teams, and must develop working relationships with their colleagues.
***Leadership skills.*** Human resources managers must coordinate work activities and ensure that staff complete the duties and responsibilities of their department.
***Organizational skills*.** Human resources managers must be able to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Human Resources ManagersMedian annual wages, May 2023Human resources managers$136,350  Operations specialties managers$136,170  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for human resources managers was $136,350 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $81,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for human resources managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                $165,670Management of companies and enterprises
                158,900Manufacturing
                134,700Government
                118,790Healthcare and social assistance
                114,830Most human resources managers work full time during regular business hours. Some human resources managers work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Human Resources ManagersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Operations specialties managers11%  Human resources managers5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of human resources managers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 15,500 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Employment growth depends largely on the performance and growth of individual companies. As new companies form and organizations expand their operations, they will need more human resources managers to administer and monitor their programs.
Human resources managers also will be needed to ensure that firms adhere to changing and complex employment laws regarding topics such as equal employment opportunity, healthcare, and retirement plans.
			

                        Employment projections data for     human resources managers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Human resources managers**
			11-3121
			191,600
			201,600
			5
			10,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Human resources managers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of human resources managers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Administrative Services and Facilities Managers**
            Administrative services and facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently.
            Bachelor's degree
            $104,900**Compensation and Benefits Managers**
            Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $136,380**Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists**
            Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists oversee wage and nonwage programs that an organization provides to its employees in return for their work. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as classification and salary.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,530**Human Resources Specialists**
            Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
            Bachelor's degree
            $67,650**Labor Relations Specialists**
            Labor relations specialists resolve employee-management disputes and negotiate labor contracts.
            Bachelor's degree
            $89,980**Top Executives**
            Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,840**Training and Development Managers**
            Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
            Bachelor's degree
            $125,040**Training and Development Specialists**
            Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,340
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about human resources managers, including certification, visit
Society for Human Resource Management
HR Certification Institute
International Public Management Association for Human Resources
For information about careers and certification in employee compensation and benefits, visit
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
WorldatWork
For information about careers in employee training and development and certification, visit
Association for Talent Development
International Society for Performance Improvement

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Human Resources Managers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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