Human resources specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. 

May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, 

interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, verbal interactions were required constantly (every few minutes) 

for less than 15 percent of human resources specialists, and were required not constantly, but more than once per hour 

for 78.9 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of human resources specialists with cognitive and mental requirements, 

2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 95.7 4.3

Interaction with general public 90.7 9.3

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework 36.9 63.1

Work review: Supervising others 15.8 84.2

Work review: Presence of supervisor 59.1 40.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, 

and experience 

requirements

The minimum level of 

formal education required, 

credentials necessary, onthe-job training, and prior 

work experience necessary 

for average performance 

in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 16.1 percent 

of human resources 

specialists. Prior work 

experience was required 

for 88.6 percent and onthe-job training was 

required for 77.3 percent.

A high school diploma was 

required for 34.3 percent of human resources specialists and a bachelor's degree was required for 56.9 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of human 

resources specialists were not exposed to 

extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent 

were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness 

was not present for 99.1 percent, greater than 

99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy 

vibrations, and 98.4 percent were not exposed 

to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities 

required to perform tasks in jobs. The 

presence and, in some cases, duration 

of these activities are published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 

greater than 99.5 percent of human 

resources specialists and was not 

required for less than 0.5 percent. For 

less than 0.5 percent of workers, 

keyboarding was seldom performed, 

for 19.3 percent keyboarding occurred 

occasionally, 78.6 percent frequently, 

and for 1.7 percent keyboarding 

occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 5.3 percent of human resources specialists and was not required for 94.7 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 98.9 percent of human resources specialists. 

On average, workers spent 89.5 percent of the workday sitting and 10.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of human resources specialists with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 98.9 1.1

Driving 11.0 89.0

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 9.9 90.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey