Human Resource Administration

Associate Degree

HR Careers

Career Outlook

HR careers have become increasingly important in the business world. Besides the administrative functions of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff and answering questions about benefits, human resources managers now often consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. No longer behind the scenes, those in human resources careers may help lead the company in changing and setting policy.

Jobs for human resources, labor relations and training managers are forecast to grow 22% through 2018. Pay varies depending on experience, skills, location and role.

Career Opportunities

In hr careers, professionals play a key role. They are needed to enhance morale and productivity, limit job turnover and help organizations increase performance and improve results. In small organizations, a human resources generalist may handle all aspects of human resources work, requiring an extensive range of knowledge. Larger organizations may need specialists in areas such as compensation and benefits, training and development, recruitment and placement services. In employment agencies, human resources careers focus on recruitment and placement.

The following median annual salaries for specific roles in hr careers are from the U.S. Department of Labor...

Payroll and timekeeping clerk $36,330
Human resources assistant $36,800
Employment, recruitment and placement specialist $45,470
Human resources, training and labor relations specialist $52,690
Training and development specialist $54,160
Compensation and benefits manager $86,500

Who is Hiring?

The major industries employing the highest number of human resources administrators are the managerial branches or headquarters offices of companies, insurance carriers, general medical and surgical hospitals, local government, and employment services.