What Human Resources Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Human Resources Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Administer compensation, benefits, and performance management systems, and safety and recreation programs"; "Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview, and select applicants"; "Allocate human resources, ensuring appropriate matches between personnel"; "Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion, and employee benefits"; "Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for Human Resources Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 224,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 237,400 in 2035, an increase of 12,500 jobs (+5.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 16,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $149,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Human Resources Managers earn the most
Across the 6 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $136,988 in Texas to $178,413 in New York, a gap of $41,426 (1.30 times). 4 of those 6 states average above the BLS national median of $149,280 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 25,220, which is 20.4% of the 123,480 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 23,760.
Highest-paying states
New York ($178,413), New Jersey ($178,007) and California ($176,793) lead the ranking, while Texas ($136,988) and Indiana ($147,924) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Human Resources Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 6 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $97,081. The smallest margin is $76,060 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 6 of the 6 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 12.4% and 25.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Human Resources Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-3000) include Computer and Information Systems Managers, Financial Managers, Industrial Production Managers and Administrative Services Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Human Resources Managers
What is the national median wage for Human Resources Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $149,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $136,988 to $178,413.
Which state pays Human Resources Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $178,413. New Jersey is next at $178,007.
What is the job outlook for Human Resources Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 16,800 openings a year.
What education do Human Resources Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.
Where can Human Resources Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $97,081 on a median wage of $185,100.