Human Resources Managers
Also called: Employee Relations Manager, HR Director (Human Resources Director), HR Manager (Human Resources Manager), HR VP (Human Resources Vice President)Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 20 of its 26 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 5.5% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 2.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 39% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $113,210 | $85,640 to $153,650 | 2,160 |
| Alaska | $129,570 | $102,260 to $160,670 | 610 |
| Arizona | $139,820 | $110,240 to $177,010 | 3,950 |
| Arkansas | $108,580 | $83,240 to $154,390 | 1,290 |
| California | $170,080 | $129,210 to $224,990 | 27,450 |
| Colorado | $166,400 | $133,100 to $208,030 | 3,620 |
| Connecticut | $165,930 | $127,940 to $213,770 | 3,020 |
| Delaware | $153,890 | $104,150 to $209,040 | 580 |
| District of Columbia | $184,350 | $141,420 to $211,580 | 2,250 |
| Florida | $137,790 | $103,090 to $176,820 | 11,570 |
| Georgia | $150,700 | $114,400 to $195,770 | 7,270 |
| Guam | $77,180 | $62,360 to $95,300 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $128,910 | $101,400 to $159,470 | 710 |
| Idaho | $119,990 | $97,980 to $146,620 | 1,040 |
| Illinois | $151,370 | $114,940 to $196,630 | 13,520 |
| Indiana | $130,340 | $104,990 to $167,540 | 3,030 |
| Iowa | $126,370 | $104,010 to $159,160 | 1,620 |
| Kansas | $134,470 | $109,540 to $172,830 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $121,460 | $96,070 to $155,170 | 1,960 |
| Louisiana | $107,880 | $91,550 to $137,260 | 1,390 |
| Maine | $129,720 | $97,350 to $168,560 | 700 |
| Maryland | $152,770 | $115,570 to $192,990 | 3,820 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 | $136,600 to $229,510 | 7,540 |
| Michigan | $138,930 | $110,820 to $174,740 | 5,890 |
| Minnesota | $153,770 | $121,580 to $195,190 | 4,370 |
| Mississippi | $106,100 | $85,960 to $145,010 | 720 |
| Missouri | $130,680 | $98,810 to $169,220 | 3,510 |
| Montana | $115,280 | $96,920 to $143,150 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $129,460 | $102,740 to $161,420 | 1,660 |
| Nevada | $128,550 | $95,340 to $169,300 | 1,520 |
| New Hampshire | $135,000 | $97,880 to $180,170 | 1,150 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 | $135,940 to $218,050 | 6,400 |
| New Mexico | $118,070 | $93,580 to $157,730 | 820 |
| New York | $176,650 | $133,180 to $231,380 | 17,920 |
| North Carolina | $142,990 | $115,850 to $187,520 | 6,480 |
| North Dakota | $139,050 | $110,020 to $164,770 | 290 |
| Ohio | $130,480 | $99,470 to $170,770 | 8,040 |
| Oklahoma | $116,080 | $88,030 to $153,990 | 1,750 |
| Oregon | $140,570 | $112,850 to $174,020 | 2,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,060 | $101,240 to $174,320 | 8,230 |
| Puerto Rico | $78,370 | $60,170 to $106,650 | 860 |
| Rhode Island | $167,110 | $125,040 to $218,530 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $124,290 | $93,940 to $163,830 | 2,400 |
| South Dakota | $117,930 | $100,040 to $150,020 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $131,760 | $103,560 to $168,970 | 4,310 |
| Texas | $136,500 | $105,090 to $176,830 | 23,220 |
| Utah | $131,380 | $102,540 to $170,560 | 2,240 |
| Vermont | $132,050 | $105,770 to $166,990 | 360 |
| Virgin Islands | $77,490 | $73,880 to $94,990 | 70 |
| Virginia | $165,980 | $129,800 to $209,960 | 5,770 |
| Washington | $165,530 | $131,210 to $211,210 | 4,560 |
| West Virginia | $120,020 | $93,640 to $158,900 | 510 |
| Wisconsin | $133,490 | $107,290 to $168,250 | 3,730 |
| Wyoming | $127,520 | $101,910 to $155,460 | 140 |
Nationally: $149,280. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 20 of its 26 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations. | Not published |
| Not much | Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations. | Not published |
| AI alone | Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes. | 0.01% |
| Not much | Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures. | Not published |
| Not much | Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives. | Not published |
See all 26 tasks
| Not much | Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview, and select applicants. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Analyze statistical data and reports to identify and determine causes of personnel problems and develop recommendations for improvement of organization's personnel policies and practices. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Administer compensation, benefits, and performance management systems, and safety and recreation programs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare and follow budgets for personnel operations. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion, and employee benefits. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate the personnel, training, or labor relations activities of an organization. | Not published |
| AI + software | Conduct exit interviews to identify reasons for employee termination. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain records and compile statistical reports concerning personnel-related data such as hires, transfers, performance appraisals, and absenteeism rates. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Oversee the evaluation, classification, and rating of occupations and job positions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze training needs to design employee development, language training, and health and safety programs. | Not published |
| Not much | Investigate and report on industrial accidents for insurance carriers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Allocate human resources, ensuring appropriate matches between personnel. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare personnel forecast to project employment needs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop or administer special projects in areas such as pay equity, savings bond programs, day care, and employee awards. | Not published |
| AI + software | Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts. | Not published |
| AI + software | Study legislation, arbitration decisions, and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends. | Not published |
| Not much | Develop, administer, and evaluate applicant tests. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide terminated employees with outplacement or relocation assistance. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Contract with vendors to provide employee services, such as food service, transportation, or relocation service. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 6 of the 26 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 26 tasks fall under 22 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #12 Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- #33 Compile records, documentation, or other data
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manage human resources activities | |||
| Perform human resources activities | |||
| Interview people to obtain information | |||
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Negotiate contracts or agreements | |||
| Perform recruiting or hiring activities | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Explain regulations, policies, or procedures |
Show all 22 activities
| Compile records, documentation, or other data | |||
| Advise others on educational or vocational matters | |||
| Advise others on business or operational matters | |||
| Communicate with others about operational plans or activities | |||
| Advise others on legal or regulatory matters | |||
| Investigate incidents or accidents | |||
| Determine resource needs of projects or operations | |||
| Manage budgets or finances | |||
| Prepare legal or regulatory documents | |||
| Coordinate group, community, or public activities | |||
| Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Train others on operational or work procedures | |||
| Supervise personnel activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report19%
- A resume or job application16%
- Advice or a recommendation14%
- An email or message12%
- Data or a spreadsheet12%
How they worked with Claude
78% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for human resources managers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 332,163 moves out
- 1 Human Resources Specialists Very high +6.4% 22%
- 2 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 7%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 4 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 5%
- 5 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 405,667 moves in
- 1 Human Resources Specialists Very high +6.4% 26%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 5%
- 4 First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Very high +0.1% 3%
- 5 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers High -3.7% 2%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 5% postsecondary certificate
- 82% bachelor's
- 9% post-bachelor's certificate
- 5% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 22 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 2% less than high school
- 6% high school
- 13% some college
- 7% associate's
- 44% bachelor's
- 24% master's
- 2% professional degree
- 1% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 2,926 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
9 programs, such as Organizational Communication, General, Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Business Administration and Management, General.
See all
- Organizational Communication, General
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Organizational Leadership
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Labor Studies
- Executive/Career Coaching
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
34.6% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 0.9% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 10.4% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | 0.5% | 2.8% |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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