Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
What the job is
- The work
- Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
BLS
Human Resources Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- 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.
BLS
Human Resources Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Experienced HR people who want to lead a department and shape how an organization hires, pays and treats its staff.
- Career cluster
- Management & Entrepreneurship
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (human resources managers).
- Median pay
- $149,280 a year ($71.77 an hour)
BLS
Human Resources Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 224,900
- Typical entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +6%, which BLS calls "faster than average"
BLS
Human Resources Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +12,500 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- 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.
BLS
Human Resources Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- Human resources managers typically need a bachelor's degree and several years of related work experience, often as human resources or labor relations specialists. Some jobs require a master's in human resources, labor relations or business administration (MBA).
- License
- None
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Human resources manager: bachelor's degree, years as an HR specialist, sometimes a master's or MBA
See the roadmap
Route 1: Degree → HR specialist → HR manager · Route 2: Master's in HR or an MBA
More careers in Management & Entrepreneurship
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.