Career profile · SOC 11-3121

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. Oversee recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training of new staff.

Median salary
$140,030
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Bachelor's degree
AI exposure
6.0/10
automation risk

Salary distribution (US)

Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.

Bottom 10%
$81,060
25th %ile
$103,020
Median
$140,030
75th %ile
$180,530
Top 10%
$221,390

Top skills

Active Listening Speaking Social Perceptiveness Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Coordination Management of Personnel Resources Negotiation Complex Problem Solving Reading Comprehension

Knowledge you'll build

  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Administration and Management
  • English Language
  • Law and Government
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Psychology
  • Economics and Accounting

A day in the life

Your day starts with a review of open requisitions and candidate pipelines, followed by a meeting with department heads about their hiring needs and team dynamics. Mid-morning you might mediate a workplace conflict, update the company's benefits package, or finalize a new diversity-and-inclusion initiative. Afternoons could include reviewing compensation data to stay competitive, coaching a manager on performance feedback, or leading an onboarding session for new employees. The role is all about people—reading between the lines in interviews, shaping company culture, and making sure every employee feels valued and supported.

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