Human Resources Specialists

 1. OVERVIEW

Human Resources (HR) Specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers within organizations. They also support compensation and benefits, employee relations, compliance, and training programs—ensuring that HR operations align with federal, state, and organizational policies.

• 2024 Median Pay: $72,910/year ($35.05/hour)

• Job Growth (2023–2033): +8% (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, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Junior HR Specialist

• Education: Bachelor’s in Human Resources, Business, or related field

• Experience: Internships or 0–2 years in admin, customer service, or assistant roles

• Certifications (Recommended):

• SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional)

• HRCI aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources)

• Core Duties:

• Support recruiting activities (posting jobs, scheduling interviews)

• Maintain personnel files and employee records

• Coordinate onboarding and orientation

• Respond to employee questions about benefits and policies

• Salary Range: $48,000–$65,000

MID LEVEL

• Job Titles: HR Generalist, HR Specialist, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Benefits Coordinator

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

• Experience: 2–5 years in HR functions

• Certifications (Preferred):

• SHRM-CP

• HRCI PHR (Professional in Human Resources)

• LinkedIn Learning HR Strategy & Analytics

• Core Duties:

• Lead interviews, hiring decisions, and job offer processes

• Administer benefits and payroll systems

• Conduct training sessions and performance reviews

• Ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies

• Salary Range: $65,000–$90,000

SENIOR LEVEL

• Job Titles: Senior HR Specialist, HR Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Talent Strategy Lead

• Education: Bachelor’s + advanced certifications or Master’s in HR/Organizational Leadership

• Experience: 6+ years with project or team leadership

• Certifications (Preferred):

• SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional)

• HRCI SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)

• Core Duties:

• Oversee HR teams and strategic workforce planning

• Resolve complex employee relations issues

• Develop talent acquisition and retention strategies

• Partner with executives on organizational development

• Salary Range: $90,000–$130,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

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

• Internships: Crucial for entry-level roles—builds exposure to recruiting, benefits, and HRIS tools

• Certifications:

• Entry: aPHR (HRCI), SHRM-CP

• Mid/Senior: PHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

• Advancement Path:
  HR Assistant → HR Generalist → HR Manager → Director of HR or VP of People

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills

• Communication & active listening

• Conflict resolution

• Interviewing & recruiting techniques

• Attention to detail

• Knowledge of labor laws and employment regulations

Tools & Systems

• HRIS Systems (Workday, BambooHR, ADP)

• Payroll/Benefits Platforms (Gusto, Paycom)

• Applicant Tracking Systems (Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS)

• Microsoft Office, Google Workspace

• Learning Management Systems (LMS)

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Industries: Healthcare, education, finance, government, manufacturing

• Settings: Corporate offices, hybrid, or fully remote

• Schedules: Full-time; standard business hours

• Challenges: Regulatory compliance, high-volume recruiting, sensitive issues (discipline, terminations)

• Risks: Emotional strain, especially during layoffs or conflict resolution

6. JOB OUTLOOK

• Annual Openings: ~86,200

• Growth Factors:

• Demand for strategic hiring

• Workforce retention efforts

• Need for employee well-being and benefits programs

• Career Paths:
  HR Specialist → HR Business Partner → HR Manager → HR Director → CHRO

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Role: Human Resource Managers | Salary: $140,030 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

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

• Role: Training & Development Specialists | Salary: $65,850 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

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

• Role: Public Relations Specialists | Salary: $69,780 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications

• SHRM Learning Center – shrm.org

• HRCI Certifications – hrci.org

• LinkedIn Learning: HR Fundamentals, Talent Strategy, DEI

• Coursera: Human Resource Management (University of Minnesota)

• edX: HR Analytics Programs

• People Management Skills – Harvard Online, FutureLearn

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

• HR from the Outside In by Dave Ulrich

Videos & Communities

• YouTube: HR360, HR University, HR Mavericks

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

• Reddit: r/humanresources

• LinkedIn HR Communities & Groups

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

• Top-Paying Industries:

• Government: $81,540

• Professional & Technical Services: $81,330

• Manufacturing: $77,570

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

• Trends:

• Growth of DEI roles and employer branding

• Automation of benefits/payroll with HR tech

• Rise of hybrid/remote HR support

• Remote Work Trend: Growing across HR roles, especially in tech, education, and healthcare

BLS Profile: Human Resources Specialists – OOH
Projections Central: State-by-State Employment Trends