Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 674,800 people employed as human resources specialists in the United States. The median annual salary is $63,500. Entry level employees earn approximately $37,710 per year and senior employees earn approximately $109,350 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Conduct exit interviews and ensure that necessary employment termination paperwork is completed.
• Interview job applicants to obtain information on work history, training, education, or job skills.
• Perform searches for qualified job candidates, using sources such as computer databases, networking, Internet recruiting resources, media advertisements, job fairs, recruiting firms, or employee referrals.
• Provide management with information or training related to interviewing, performance appraisals, counseling techniques, or documentation of performance issues.
• Analyze employment-related data and prepare required reports.
• Advise management on organizing, preparing, or implementing recruiting or retention programs.
• Conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.
• Review and evaluate applicant qualifications or eligibility for specified licensing, according to established guidelines and designated licensing codes.
• Evaluate recruitment or selection criteria to ensure conformance to professional, statistical, or testing standards, recommending revisions, as needed.
• Coordinate with outside staffing agencies to secure temporary employees, based on departmental needs.
• Evaluate selection or testing techniques by conducting research or follow-up activities and conferring with management or supervisory personnel.
• Develop or implement recruiting strategies to meet current or anticipated staffing needs.
• Administer employee benefit plans.
• Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
• 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.
• Schedule or conduct new employee orientations.
• Maintain and update human resources documents, such as organizational charts, employee handbooks or directories, or performance evaluation forms.
• Confer with management to develop or implement personnel policies or procedures.
• Contact job applicants to inform them of the status of their applications.

Career List