How much does a human resources specialist make?

The median pay is $36.51 per hour — roughly $76,000 a year, with the real range running from about $22.69/hr (10th percentile) to $61.89/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a human resources specialist?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a human resources specialist actually do all day?

Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations. Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork. Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

What it pays
Human Resources Specialists earn a median of $36.51/hr — about $76,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $22.69/hr; the top 10% earn $61.89/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
Review employment applications and job orders to match applicants with job requirements.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work splits time indoors and out; you're around people constantly. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.5% of human resources specialists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are take-charge, organized and detail-focused and people-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a human resources specialist make?: The median pay is $36.51 per hour — roughly $76,000 a year, with the real range running from about $22.69/hr (10th percentile) to $61.89/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a human resources specialist?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
What does a human resources specialist actually do all day?: Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations. Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork. Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.