Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Human Resources Managers
SOC: 11-3121 O*NET: 11-3121.00
Median Salary
$140,030
per year
Job Growth
📈 5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
17.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
What does a Human Resources Managers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$83,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$105,590
25th percentile
Median
$140,030
50th percentile
Experienced
$189,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$83,790
25th
$105,590
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$140,030
Mean: $160,480
75th
$189,960
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$83,790 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $105,590 and $189,960
- •Salary spread is 60.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 215,520 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:221,900
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.7%
Management of Companies and Enterprises14.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5%
Annual Openings:17,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)221,900
Current
2034 (Projected)233,000
+5%
+11,100
Employment Change
+5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Human Resources Managers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
27,680 jobs$169,1401.10x
New York
16,720 jobs$171,4401.25x
Illinois
13,700 jobs$134,3201.62x
Florida
10,960 jobs$124,9500.80x
Pennsylvania
7,970 jobs$130,8300.95x
Georgia
7,080 jobs$138,0501.04x
Ohio
7,000 jobs$129,3200.91x
Massachusetts
6,730 jobs$176,5101.32x
North Carolina
6,520 jobs$134,1700.95x
New Jersey
6,470 jobs$166,0701.09x
Virginia
5,910 jobs$161,6901.04x
Michigan
5,620 jobs$131,8100.92x
Washington
5,030 jobs$169,4101.02x
Tennessee
4,240 jobs$124,8900.93x
Minnesota
4,140 jobs$152,2501.01x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Management of Personnel Resources
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Wind Energy Operations Managers82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance82%
5 shared skills
Security Managers82%
5 shared skills
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Human Resources Managers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechIBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechWorkday software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
IBM SPSS Statistics
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Workday software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Project
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (7)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (6)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)
1
Administer compensation, benefits, and performance management systems, and safety and recreation programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview, and select applicants.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Allocate human resources, ensuring appropriate matches between personnel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion, and employee benefits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Human Resources Managers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Human Resources Managers professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value relationships
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Human Resources Managers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.95
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.73
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.73
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.55
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.45
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.41
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
5.0
Dependability
4.7
Leadership
4.7
Self-Control
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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