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.
Is human resources specialists a good career?
It scores 35/100 and ranks #102 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($75,940)
- High volume of openings — about 81,800 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What human resources specialists earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. human resources specialists earn between $58,610 and $99,380 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live human resources specialists jobs
People Business Partner Director, Engineering
People Business Partner Director, Engineering
How to become a human resources specialist
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
Human resources specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, communications, or a related field.
By working in an internship during college, students gain relevant experience that may be helpful in competing for human resources specialist jobs. Internships in human resources departments may help prospective specialists to increase their understanding of the occupation and to network in an industry.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Professional associations that specialize in human resources offer courses to enhance the skills of their members, and some offer certification programs.
Certification usually requires that candidates pass an exam that covers human resources knowledge and asks candidates to apply their knowledge to different situations. Candidates for certification also typically need to meet minimum education and experience requirements.
Although certification is usually voluntary, some employers prefer or require it. Human resources generalists, in particular, may benefit from certification because it shows knowledge and professional competence across all human resources areas.
Advancement
Human resources specialists who have a thorough knowledge of their organization and its personnel regulations may advance to become human resources managers. Specialists may increase their chance of advancement by taking on new responsibilities or completing voluntary certification programs.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Listening and speaking skills are essential for human resources specialists. They must convey information effectively and respond to questions and concerns from employers, job applicants, and employees.
Decision-making skills. Human resources specialists must use sound judgment when reviewing applicants’ qualifications or when working to resolve disputes.
Detail oriented. Specialists must pay attention to detail when evaluating applicants’ qualifications, doing background checks, maintaining records of an employee grievance, and ensuring that a workplace complies with labor standards.
Interpersonal skills. Specialists continually interact with others and must be able to converse and connect with people from varied backgrounds.
Related occupations
How much do human resources specialists make?
The national median wage is $75,940 a year, with the middle half earning between $58,610 and $99,380 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is human resources specialists a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 35 of 100 and ranks #102 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +6.2% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a human resources specialist?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do human resources specialists earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($110,970). Local pay for every state and metro is below.