Human resources are one of the fastest-growing career paths in the United States. In addition to high-earning potential, a human resources career can be personally rewarding and offer longevity. It can even lead to an executive-level position within an organization.
If you’re interested in pursuing it, you should clearly understand the human resources career path, including what the work entails and how to remain competitive.
What Does Human Resources Do?
The human resources department is an important part of any organization. In addition to keeping employees engaged, human resources develops and maintains the company culture. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resource managers “plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.”1 There’s also the potential to specialize in employee relations, benefits and compensation, talent acquisition, labor relations, risk management, and organizational development.
The primary responsibilities of human resources include:2
- Ensuring organizations comply with complex and changing employment laws
- Hiring and training the workforce
- Overseeing a performance management system
- Establishing a conducive work culture
- Conflict management
- Acting as a liaison between management and staff
Take your HR career to the next level.
The online Master’s in Human Resources Management at Saint Mary’s University can give you the skills you need to advance your career, including leadership, management and strategy, organizational development, and conflict resolution.
The Human Resources Job Outlook
There are many reasons to pursue a career in human resources. Employment of human resources managers is expected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations. What makes it even more compelling is the median annual salary, which was listed at $130,000 in May of 2022.1
One of the most compelling reasons to consider this career path is that the median human resources salary (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor) is just over $100,000 per year.1 “The top 10 percent of those in human resources management earned $183,590, while HR specialists and recruiters earned a median salary of $57,420, and compensation and benefits managers earned a median salary of $108,070.”2
It should be noted, however, that salary range and job responsibilities vary widely across industries. For example, scientific and technical consulting firms typically offer the highest earning potential for HR professionals. You also have the potential to earn a higher salary if you specialize in labor relations or organizational development.
Most human resources jobs available can be found at companies and enterprises, followed by local government, hospitals, employment services and computer systems design firms. The top-paying industries include information services, brokerage and securities firms, the film industry, cable and other subscription planning services, and financial services.
How to Pursue a Human Resources Career
The typical human resources career path includes education and related work experience. However, having an advanced degree can also give you a competitive edge. While a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level human resources jobs, many organizations require a master’s degree to qualify for mid-management and senior-level positions. It’s also essential to stay on top of changes in employment law, compensation, and benefits packages and know the latest HR software.
One of the most important things you can do to advance your human resources career is to get certified. Some jobs require specific HR credentials. The Society for Human Resource Management administers the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) exams. SHRM certifications “ensure the professional’s ability to demonstrate what they know and what they can do with their knowledge in the variety of situations they encounter.”3 Credentials also establish your expertise in the field and distinguish you from colleagues.
If you’re considering pursuing a career in HR, you should consider getting an online Master’s in Human Resources Management through the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The curriculum at Saint Mary’s is aligned with SHRM and prepares you for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams. In addition, getting an online master’s in human resources can give you the skills you need to advance your career, including leadership, management and strategy, organizational development, and conflict resolution.
To learn more about the online Master’s in Human Resources Management at Saint Mary’s, call 877-308-9954 or click here for more information.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Human Resource Managers. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from https://bls.gov/.
- Linkedin. “Top 5 Benefits of Human Resource Management” Retrieved October 5, 2023, from https://linkedin.com/.
- The Society for Human Resource Management. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from https://shrm.org/.