Human Resources Specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle tasks related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
Human Resources Specialists are often trained in all human resources disciplines and perform tasks throughout all areas of the department. In addition to recruiting and placing workers, human resources specialists help guide employees through all human resources procedures and answer questions about policies. They sometimes administer benefits, process payroll, and handle any associated questions or problems, although many specialists may focus more on strategic planning and hiring instead of administrative duties. They also ensure that all human resources functions comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Human Resources Specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle tasks related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
Human Resources Specialists are often trained in all human resources disciplines and perform tasks throughout all areas of the department. In addition to recruiting and placing workers, human resources specialists help guide employees through all human resources procedures and answer questions about policies. They sometimes administer benefits, process payroll, and handle any associated questions or problems, although many specialists may focus more on strategic planning and hiring instead of administrative duties. They also ensure that all human resources functions comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Job prospects for human resources specialists are expected to be favorable, particularly in companies that provide human resources services to other organizations.
Employment projections data for human resources specialists, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 547,800 | 586,700 | 7 | 38,900 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for human resources specialists, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Human Resources Specialists |
| SOC Code |
| 13-1071 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 547,800 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 586,700 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 7 |
| NUMERIC |
| 38,900 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $60,350 in May 2017. 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 $35,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,570.
In May 2017, the median annual wages for human resources specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $68,090 |
|---|---|
| Government | $65,990 |
| Manufacturing | $62,260 |
| Employment Services | $52,820 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance | $51,340 |
Many human resources specialists, particularly recruitment specialists, travel extensively to attend job fairs, visit college campuses, and meet with applicants. Most specialists work full time during regular business hours.
Human Resources Specialists
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Companies are likely to continue to outsource human resources functions to organizations that provide these services, rather than directly employing human resources specialists. In addition, the services of human resources generalists will likely be needed to handle increasingly complex employment laws and benefit options.
However, employment of human resources specialists will be tempered as companies make better use of available technologies. Rather than sending recruiters to colleges and job fairs, for example, some employers are increasingly conducting their entire recruiting process online. In addition, administrative tasks are more efficient with software that allows workers to quickly manage, process, or update human resources information.
Human Resources Specialists
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Human Resources
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|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
|---|
| Compensation and Benefits Managers |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to compensate employees. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $119,120 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists conduct an organization’s compensation and benefits programs. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as classification and salary. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $62,680 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Customer Service Representatives |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $32,890 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Human Resources Managers |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate 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. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $110,120 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Insurance Sales Agents |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit them. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $49,710 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Labor Relations Specialists |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts regarding issues such as wages and salaries, healthcare, pensions, and union and management practices. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $63,200 |
Free Staffing Resources
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
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National Association of Personnel Services
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Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
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American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
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National Association of Executive Recruiters
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National Association for Health Care Recruitment
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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Top Echelon Recruiting Network
