What does a human resources specialist do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
A human resources specialist recruits, screens and interviews applicants, places new hires, and may also handle pay and benefits, training and employee relations. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median pay of $75,940 per year (May 2025) and typically requires a bachelor's degree. No license is required.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 13-1071 (O*NET-SOC 13-1071.00) |
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
| Related work experience | None |
| Licensing | None required; professional certifications are voluntary |
| Median annual wage | $75,940 per year (May 2025 wage data) |
| Projected growth | 6 percent, 2025 to 2035 (faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 939,700 (2025) |
Figures are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook as it read on 31 October 2026. Wage data are from May 2025 and projections cover 2025 to 2035.
What does a human resources specialist do?
Human resources (HR) specialists are the people who connect an employer with its workforce. BLS describes the core of the job as recruiting, screening and interviewing applicants and placing new hires. Depending on the employer, the same role may also cover compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
Typical day-to-day tasks include:
- Talking with managers about the roles they need to fill and what the job requires.
- Posting openings, reviewing applications and interviewing candidates.
- Checking references and backgrounds as part of hiring.
- Running new-employee orientation.
- Keeping accurate employment records.
Some specialists are generalists who handle every HR area. Others specialize. A recruitment specialist, also called a recruiter or talent acquisition specialist, focuses on finding and screening candidates. If you want the hiring side specifically, our guide to finding a job fast shows what recruiters see when they review applicants.
Work environment
Most HR specialists work in offices and most work full time during business hours, although some work more than 40 hours a week. Recruitment specialists may travel to job fairs, campuses and meetings with applicants. BLS reports that the largest employers are professional, scientific and technical services (13 percent), employment services (13 percent) and healthcare and social assistance (11 percent).
Education, training and licensing
BLS says a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, communications or a related field is typical. Internships during college can help you stand out. Some positions ask for related experience, such as work as an HR assistant or a customer service representative, and employers may prefer experience in recruiting, training, employee relations or compensation.
There is no license. Professional associations offer certifications, which usually require passing an exam and meeting education and experience minimums. BLS notes that certification is generally voluntary, but some employers prefer or require it, and generalists may benefit most. With deep knowledge of an organization, specialists can move into HR management.
Skills that matter
BLS lists communication, decision-making, attention to detail and interpersonal skills as the important qualities. O*NET, the US Department of Labor's occupational database, highlights reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing and active learning among the skills for this occupation. In practice that means reading policies and resumes accurately, writing clear job descriptions and messages, weighing evidence about candidates fairly, and learning employment rules as they change.
How much does a human resources specialist make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $75,940 per year (May 2025), which is $36.51 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,720. By industry, BLS reports the highest median in government, excluding state and local education and hospitals, at $84,100, followed by professional, scientific and technical services at $82,800.
Read the full pay tab on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and look up your own state or metro area in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. For how to read these numbers, see how to research pay.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, which is about 60,100 additional jobs. About 73,700 openings are projected each year on average over the decade, mostly from workers leaving the occupation, such as through retirement. BLS expects organizations to keep needing HR staff for strategic priorities and expects firms that provide HR services to grow faster than in-house departments as more companies outsource these functions.
How to get hired as a human resources specialist
- Pick a path. Generalist, recruiting, or compensation and benefits each lead to different first jobs.
- Build proof. An internship, an HR assistant role or a customer service background all count. Write results and numbers into your resume. Our ATS resume guide explains how to format it so software can read it.
- Consider a certification once you meet the experience minimum, and check whether the employers you want ask for one.
- Practice for behavioral and situational questions in our interview prep section.
- Tell people you are looking. See networking for your job search.
- Search jobs on LiveRec and apply to the openings that match your path.
Related occupations
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists; Labor Relations Specialists; Training and Development Specialists; Human Resources Managers.
Frequently asked questions
Do human resources specialists need a degree?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, usually in human resources, business, communications or a related field. Some employers accept related experience, and internships help. No license is required.
Is an HR certification required?
No. BLS describes certification as generally voluntary, though some employers prefer or require it. Certifications usually require passing an exam and meeting education and experience minimums.
How much do human resources specialists make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $75,940 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,180 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,720.
Is HR a growing field?
BLS projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 73,700 openings per year on average, mostly from workers leaving the occupation.
What is the difference between an HR specialist and a recruiter?
A recruiter, also called a recruitment or talent acquisition specialist, is an HR specialist who focuses on finding and screening candidates. A generalist covers several HR areas.
Related guides
- What Does a Computer Support Specialist Do? Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Logistician Do? Duties, Pay and Outlook
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS pay tab: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-5 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 13-1071.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1071.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.