Human Resources Manager Career and Salary Outlook

Last Updated September 3, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has forced entire industries to pivot in the face of shutdowns, restrictions and new consumer buying habits. Organizations attempting to carry on business as usual have found themselves doing this with a scaled down or remote workforce. The outlook for many companies and employees has never been so unsure.

In all of this, one thing is sure: the role of human resources has never been more crucial or complex. As the bridge between individual employees and the organization in which they work, the human resources department is an essential part of any organization, with the human resources manager on the frontlines of recruiting and retaining top talent and ensuring employee satisfaction and performance that leads to overall organizational success.

What is a Human Resources Manager?

A human resources manager holds the supervisory responsibilities in the HR team or department, with human resources coordinators/assistants and human resources generalists reporting to them. In a smaller organization, they may serve as the head of the department with human resources specialists reporting to them as well. In larger organizations, the role is most likely under a director of human resources, vice president of human resources and/or chief people officer, depending on organizational structure.

In the managerial position for HR, this role focuses more on the generalist aspect of human resources. While a human resources specialist may specialize in the administration and execution of one area of responsibility within HR (i.e. employee training and development, benefits administration, etc.), the human resources manager oversees these areas, guiding the decisions on benefits and compensation packages for employees, recruiting and hiring the right individuals the organization needs and making sure the HR team handles any issues that may arise between employees or employees and management.  

The responsibilities and decisions of a human resources manager impact the day-to-day of every employee in an organization, and therefore, can have a domino effect on the performance and even bottom line of a company.

“The role has evolved to be more strategic and advisory,” says Laura Mazzullo of East Side Staffing, a recruiting firm focused on placing HR professionals, stating that organizations are increasingly seeking human resources managers with “more advisory and consultative skills to advise leaders on people-centric approaches to HR.”

Human Resources Manager Job Description

In overseeing their direct reports’ administration and execution of HR responsibilities while keeping the big picture of organizational strategy in mind, human resources managers wear many hats throughout a typical workday.

A human resources manager’s duties can include:

• Working with the HR director and/or the organization’s executive leadership team to understand organizational goals and develop strategic initiatives
• Planning and executing a human resources strategy that falls in line with these goals
• Supporting and guiding other staff within the human resources department
• Handling delicate situations within the workplace, including termination if the situation escalates
• Overseeing the organization’s talent acquisition strategy and process, including recruiting, interviewing, and hiring
• Establishing employee performance review, training, and/or development programs
• Researching and proposing new incentive and rewards programs that support employee retention
• Evaluating benefits packages and choosing the best one for both the organization and its employees
• Ensuring that the department and organization are adhering to state and federal laws regarding employment

Human Resources Manager Salary and Career Growth

The role of human resources manager is rated as one of “the most promising careers of the next decade,” according to The Wall Street Journal, which ranked over 800 jobs based on salary and employment-projection data. Human resources manager ranked at number 35.

These rankings incorporated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects a growth rate of 7% through 2028 for human resources managers, faster than the average for all occupations.¹ This faster growth rate means there will be more demand for human resources managers across all industries, with nearly 30% of human resources manager jobs currently found in the professional/business sector and scientific and technical services sectors.

These sectors also offer higher salaries: $129,510 – $131,340 median annual salary, compared to a $116,720 median annual salary for human resources managers across all industries.²

How Do I Become a Human Resources Manager?

Making a move into any management position usually requires a combination of education, professional experience and continual development. Most human resources managers hold at least a bachelor’s degree and you may see job descriptions that “prefer” a master’s degree or MBA. Experience as a human resources specialist or human resources generalist (typically five years or more) is often the precursor to the role of human resources manager.

“Your path into HR management will become clearer and be faster if you deconstruct the differences between the responsibilities of an HR manager vs. those of an HR generalist,” recommends Martin Yate, career coach at the Society for Human Resource Management. Yale “suggest[s] doing an analysis to identify the gaps” between your current skills and job responsibilities and the requirements of the human resources manager position.

Continuing your education can help you fill in these gaps. Supplementing your experience with a certificate in human resources can demonstrate your dedication to continuous professional development and equip you with the latest practices in the field, especially if you’re moving into HR from another field. A certificate program emphasizing leadership skills as they relate to HR, such as a Master Certificate in Supervisory and Human Resources Management, can give you the knowledge needed to manage an HR team or department.

Is Human Resources Manager a Good Career Choice?

The Society for Human Resource Management concludes that it’s a “good time to be in HR,” with a “growing demand for the HR function” as organizations recognize the need to be more strategic in the hiring and management of their people.

If you recognize that as well and aspire to move into a management role where you can make a strategic impact on your organization and its people, then human resources manager may be a good career goal for you.

See how the online human resources certificate programs from Michigan State University can help you reach your goals.  

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-6 (visited August 14, 2020).

²Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-5 (visited August 14, 2020).

*National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and degree program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research on specific employment information.