How to Become a Human Resources Manager
Plan, direct, and coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $149,280 per year and faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$149,280/yr
Middle half
$111,110 to $199,290
Job growth
Faster than average
Openings / yr
17,900
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Talent Management
- Employment Law
- Compensation and Benefits
- Conflict Resolution
- Leadership
Helpful certifications
- SHRM-CP
- SHRM-SCP
- PHR (Professional in HR)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
62/100
Work-life balance
64/100
Stress level
48/100
Satisfaction
71/100
Related careers
- Entrepreneur / Business Founder$213,990 median
- Sales Manager$148,270 median
- Purchasing Manager$148,080 median
- Fundraising Manager$125,470 median
- Administrative Services Manager$114,130 median
- Facilities Manager$106,660 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Human Resources Manager make?
The median pay for a Human Resources Manager is $149,280 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $111,110 and $199,290 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Human Resources Manager?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Psychology, and Organizational Leadership.
Is Human Resources Manager a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 17,900 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Human Resources Manager use most?
Common skills for this role are Talent Management, Employment Law, Compensation and Benefits, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership.
Planning to become a Human Resources Manager?
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).