Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree. PayThe median annual wage for human resources managers was $149,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources managers was $149,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
Work Environment
Human resources managers are employed in nearly every industry. They work in offices, and most work full time during regular business hours. Some travel to attend professional meetings or to recruit employees.
How to Become a Human Resources Manager
Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources managers was $149,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,800 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Human resources managers are employed in nearly every industry. They work in offices, and most work full time during regular business hours. Some travel to attend professional meetings or to recruit employees.
How to Become a Human Resources Manager
Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources managers was $149,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,800 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for human resources managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about human resources managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.