What Does it Take to Be a Human Resources Manager?
HR Manager Job Description Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
A Day in the Life of a HR Manager
- Develop, administer, and evaluate applicant tests.
- Allocate human resources, ensuring appropriate matches between personnel.
- Prepare and follow budgets for personnel operations.
- Provide terminated employees with outplacement or relocation assistance.
- Maintain records and compile statistical reports concerning personnel-related data such as hires, transfers, performance appraisals, and absenteeism rates.
- Study legislation, arbitration decisions, and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends.
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Skills Needed to be a HR Manager
Below is a list of the skills most Human Resources Managers say are important on the job.
Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Human Services Manager
- Personnel Manager
- Position Classification Manager
- Efficiency Manager
- Employee Relations Manager
Job Opportunities for Human Resources Managers
In the United States, there were 136,100 jobs for Human Resources Manager in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,300 new jobs for Human Resources Manager by 2026. There will be an estimated 12,400 positions for HR Manager per year.

The states with the most job growth for HR Manager are Washington, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Human Resources Managers Salary
The average yearly salary of a HR Manager ranges between $66,870 and $201,380.

Human Resources Managers who work in District of Columbia, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Human Resources Managers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $105,190 |
Alaska | $116,870 |
Arizona | $101,910 |
Arkansas | $105,000 |
California | $142,870 |
Colorado | $143,460 |
Connecticut | $143,990 |
Delaware | $144,060 |
District of Columbia | $162,410 |
Florida | $105,530 |
Georgia | $126,650 |
Hawaii | $104,300 |
Idaho | $85,290 |
Illinois | $119,160 |
Indiana | $101,910 |
Iowa | $110,610 |
Kansas | $107,810 |
Kentucky | $94,260 |
Louisiana | $90,490 |
Maine | $107,160 |
Maryland | $141,780 |
Massachusetts | $140,640 |
Michigan | $115,780 |
Minnesota | $122,330 |
Mississippi | $90,680 |
Missouri | $116,470 |
Montana | $99,360 |
Nebraska | $107,500 |
Nevada | $116,550 |
New Hampshire | $125,800 |
New Jersey | $169,040 |
New Mexico | $100,160 |
New York | $150,280 |
North Carolina | $126,060 |
North Dakota | $118,130 |
Ohio | $123,680 |
Oklahoma | $98,610 |
Oregon | $104,110 |
Pennsylvania | $130,260 |
Rhode Island | $154,460 |
South Carolina | $106,500 |
South Dakota | $96,480 |
Tennessee | $99,310 |
Texas | $128,310 |
Utah | $104,440 |
Vermont | $103,500 |
Virginia | $140,110 |
Washington | $134,070 |
West Virginia | $96,950 |
Wisconsin | $118,330 |
Wyoming | $97,760 |
What Tools do Human Resources Managers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Human Resources Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
Becoming a HR Manager
What education or degrees do I need to become a Human Resources Manager?

How Long Does it Take to Become a HR Manager?

Human Resources Managers Sector

Human Resources Managers work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Human Resources Manager may also be interested in:
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities
- General and Operations Managers
Career changers with experience as a Human Resources Manager sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Marketing Managers
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
References:
Image Credit: Arunkumar Umapathy via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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