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;
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.
Human resources managers typically do the following:
Organizations 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.
Human resources managers held about 208,900 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of human resources managers were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 16% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 13 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 8 |
| Government | 7 |
Human 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.
Most human resources managers work full time during regular business hours. Some human resources managers work more than 40 hours per week.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Median annual wages, May 2023
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 | $165,670 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 158,900 |
| Manufacturing | 134,700 |
| Government | 118,790 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 114,830 |
Most human resources managers work full time during regular business hours. Some human resources managers work more than 40 hours per week.
Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 17,400 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.
Demand for human resources managers is expected to be strong over the projections decade as more of these workers are needed to help meet strategic organizational priorities, such as employee engagement and retention, diversity and inclusion, and remote work and return to office.
Some companies may outsource human resources functions to organizations that provide these services, rather than directly employing human resources managers.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2023 | Projected Employment, 2033 | Change, 2023-33 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program | |||||||
Human resources managers | 11-3121 | 208,900 | 222,500 | 6 | 13,500 | Get data | |
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 |
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