Business Operations Specialists

How to become a Human Resources Specialist

Official title: Human Resources Specialists

Also called: Corporate Recruiter, Employment Representative, HR Analyst (Human Resources Analyst), HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator), HR Generalist (Human Resources Generalist), Human Resources Representative (HR Rep), Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist), Personnel Analyst, Personnel Officer, Recruiter

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

Main tasks

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.
Inform job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or promotion opportunities.
Select qualified job applicants or refer them to managers, making hiring recommendations when appropriate.

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Career Development Technician.
Apprenticeship: Sourcing Recruiter.
College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 14 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $75,940 a year The middle half earn $58,610 to $99,380.
About 939,700 people work in this job now, and about 999,700 are projected by 2035. (+6.4%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I 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.

How much does a Human Resources Specialist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $75,940 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $58,610 to $99,380.

Is a Human Resources Specialist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 939,700 to about 999,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Human Resources Specialist?

Usually. 67% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Human Resources Specialist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.