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.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
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
To enter the occupation, human resources specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field. PayThe median annual wage for human resources specialists was $75,940 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 73,700 openings for human resources specialists 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 specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources specialists 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 specialists was $75,940 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 73,700 openings for human resources specialists 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 specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 73,700 openings for human resources specialists 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 specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about human resources specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
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.
Work Environment
Human resources specialists generally work in office settings. Some, particularly recruitment specialists, travel to attend job fairs, visit college campuses, and meet with applicants. Most human resources specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Human Resources Specialist
To enter the occupation, human resources specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field.
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $75,940 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 73,700 openings for human resources specialists 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 specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Human resources specialists generally work in office settings. Some, particularly recruitment specialists, travel to attend job fairs, visit college campuses, and meet with applicants. Most human resources specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Human Resources Specialist
To enter the occupation, human resources specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field.
Pay
The median annual wage for human resources specialists was $75,940 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 73,700 openings for human resources specialists 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 specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources specialists 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 specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of human resources specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about human resources specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about human resources specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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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.