Human Resources Managers

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Human Resources (HR) Managers plan, coordinate, and oversee an organization’s administrative functions. They lead recruitment and hiring strategies, consult with executives on workforce planning, and serve as a vital link between management and employees. Their work ensures legal compliance, employee well-being, and strategic talent development.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $140,030/year ($67.32/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +6% (Faster than average)

  • Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree (Human Resources, Business, Psychology)

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

  • Job Titles: HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, Junior HR Generalist

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Psychology, or Communications

  • Experience: Internships, HR admin work, customer service (0–2 years)

  • Certifications (Recommended):

    • aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources – HRCI)

    • SHRM-CP (Certified Professional – SHRM)

  • Core Duties:

    • Support HR leadership with scheduling, onboarding, and employee data

    • Help organize recruiting and hiring logistics

    • Maintain records and assist with compliance tracking

    • Respond to employee policy questions

  • Salary Range: $55,000–$75,000

MID LEVEL

  • Job Titles: HR Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Talent Manager

  • Education: Bachelor’s required; Master’s or HR certifications preferred

  • Experience: 3–6 years managing HR programs or team leadership

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • PHR (Professional in Human Resources – HRCI)

    • SHRM-CP

    • LinkedIn Learning: HR Strategy & DEI Programs

  • Core Duties:

    • Oversee full recruitment and hiring cycles

    • Advise department heads on policies and HR strategies

    • Lead employee benefits, training, and compliance efforts

    • Handle conflict resolution and disciplinary processes

  • Salary Range: $90,000–$130,000

SENIOR LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Senior HR Manager, HR Director, VP of HR, Chief People Officer

  • Education: Bachelor’s + SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or MBA

  • Experience: 7+ years in HR leadership, organizational development

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources – HRCI)

    • SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional – SHRM)

  • Core Duties:

    • Lead strategic workforce planning and succession management

    • Consult with C-suite on talent strategy and organizational structure

    • Oversee HR departments including DEI, benefits, L&D, and ER

    • Ensure company-wide policy alignment and legal compliance

  • Salary Range: $130,000–$200,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Education:

    • Bachelor’s in HR, Business, Psychology, or Communications

    • Master’s (MBA, MS-HRM) recommended for leadership tracks

  • Experience:

    • Start as HR Specialist, HR Generalist, or Recruiting Coordinator

    • Gain exposure to multiple HR functions and supervisory roles

  • Certifications:

    • Entry: aPHR, SHRM-CP

    • Mid/Senior: PHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

  • Advancement Path:
    HR Assistant → HR Generalist → HR Manager → HR Director → VP/CHRO

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills

  • Leadership and people management

  • Conflict resolution and mediation

  • Strategic thinking and planning

  • Employment law and compliance knowledge

  • Data-driven HR decision-making

Tools & Systems

  • HRIS: Workday, BambooHR, ADP

  • ATS: Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS

  • Payroll Platforms: Paycom, Gusto, UKG

  • Microsoft Office, Google Workspace

  • Learning Management Systems (LMS)

  • HR analytics and reporting dashboards

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Industries: Tech, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government

  • Settings: Office-based, hybrid, or remote (especially senior roles)

  • Schedules: Full-time, typically weekdays

  • Challenges: Handling terminations, compliance changes, workforce planning

  • Risks: Legal exposure, high-pressure decision making, emotional strain

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Annual Openings: ~17,400

  • Growth Factors:

    • Demand for strategic workforce planning

    • Expansion of DEI, compliance, and talent functions

    • Increased complexity in hiring and retention

  • Career Paths:
    HR Specialist → HR Manager → Director of HR → VP of HR → CHRO

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Human Resource Specialists | Salary: $72,910 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Training & Development Managers | Salary: $127,090 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Compensation & Benefits Managers | Salary: $140,360 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Labor Relations Specialists | Salary: $93,500 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Top Executives | Salary: $105,350 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications

Books

  • The New HR Leader’s First 100 Days by Alan Collins

  • First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham

  • Drive by Daniel H. Pink

  • The HR Scorecard by Becker, Huselid & Ulrich

Videos & Communities

  • YouTube: HR360, HR Mavericks, HR University

  • Podcasts: “HR Happy Hour,” “DriveThruHR”

  • Communities: r/humanresources on Reddit, SHRM LinkedIn Groups

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

  • Top-Paying Industries:

    • Professional & Technical Services: $163,970

    • Management of Companies: $163,180

    • Manufacturing: $137,570

  • Hot Markets: California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois

  • Trends:

    • AI & automation in HR analytics

    • DEI leadership roles expanding

    • Remote HR policy development

  • Remote Work Trend: Growing significantly in mid/senior HR roles

Sources:

 

Keandra Wilson
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