JobAfterNext

Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Wages

Median annual wage, U.S.$75,940
Employment, U.S.912,430
Median hourly wage$36.51
Annual wage percentiles, U.S., May 2025
10th25thMedian75th90th
$47,180$58,610$75,940$99,380$128,720
By state (51)
StateEmploymentMedian annualLocation quotient
Alabama11,080$64,9400.89
Alaska1,420$76,9900.74
Arizona20,230$71,3901.06
Arkansas6,230$55,0100.81
California104,000$83,5000.97
Colorado19,450$80,8401.15
Connecticut9,010$82,8900.91
Delaware2,720$77,7000.96
District of Columbia6,910$110,9701.68
Florida62,730$66,4101.08
Georgia32,110$70,5701.12
Hawaii2,570$73,7500.70
Idaho3,930$64,9900.78
Illinois35,430$76,8200.99
Indiana17,110$65,6000.91
Iowa7,930$66,7100.87
Kansas7,560$70,8700.90
Kentucky10,900$69,0100.93
Louisiana7,240$61,3000.64
Maine3,020$71,6300.80
Maryland15,530$83,9100.96
Massachusetts27,300$85,6301.28
Michigan25,520$69,5200.99
Minnesota17,240$78,7601.00
Mississippi4,850$60,3000.71
Missouri17,650$66,9901.02
Montana2,340$63,7900.78
Nebraska7,220$61,9301.20
Nevada6,520$71,6100.72
New Hampshire4,270$70,8401.07
New Jersey21,690$80,6900.86
New Mexico4,090$68,0500.80
New York54,610$84,3800.96
North Carolina31,140$73,0701.07
North Dakota1,710$75,6300.68
Ohio33,500$70,1801.03
Oklahoma9,370$61,6300.94
Oregon10,620$78,0600.92
Pennsylvania36,960$70,4501.04
Rhode Island3,320$77,5601.13
South Carolina13,720$65,3701.01
South Dakota1,340$67,5900.50
Tennessee21,460$67,3701.12
Texas84,930$68,9201.03
Utah9,900$71,7500.97
Vermont1,270$77,8000.71
Virginia28,540$82,0901.18
Washington22,770$84,5501.09
West Virginia3,130$66,8600.76
Wisconsin17,360$70,5401.01
Wyoming1,000$66,9700.60

Similar occupations

Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.

#OccupationJob ZoneSimilarity
1Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping30.979
2Labor Relations Specialists40.962
3Human Resources Managers40.959
4Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers40.958
5Compensation and Benefits Managers40.958
6Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists40.955
7Compliance Managers40.954
8Education Administrators, Postsecondary50.950
9Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs30.947
10First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers30.946

One skill away

Among the 50 occupations most similar to Human Resources Specialists, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.

OccupationSkill to buildLevel gapSimilarity
Equal Opportunity Representatives and OfficersPersuasion1.000.958
Compliance ManagersMonitoring0.870.954
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support WorkersManagement of Personnel Resources0.870.946
Loan Interviewers and ClerksMathematics1.120.932
Special Education Teachers, PreschoolLearning Strategies1.000.930
Credit CounselorsMathematics1.120.927
Clinical Research CoordinatorsScience3.000.926
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except GamblingManagement of Financial Resources1.750.922

Software to learn next

Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Human Resources Specialists, excluding software Human Resources Specialists already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.

SoftwareSimilar jobs using itLift
Document management system software5 of 2014.4x
GroupMe5 of 208.5x
Ceridian Dayforce enterprise HCM3 of 2034.6x
ParentSquare4 of 2014.2x
ADP Enterprise HR3 of 2027.7x
Sage HRMS3 of 2027.7x
Ultimate Software UltiPro Workplace3 of 2027.7x
Google Sites4 of 209.2x
Nearpod4 of 209.2x
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS5 of 205.8x

Skills

From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.

SkillTypeImportanceLevel
SpeakingEssential skill 4.12 4.00
Active ListeningEssential skill 4.00 4.00
Reading ComprehensionEssential skill 4.00 4.00
Critical ThinkingEssential skill 3.88 4.00
WritingEssential skill 3.88 4.00
Social PerceptivenessTransferable skill 3.38 3.88
Service OrientationTransferable skill 3.38 3.25
Judgment and Decision MakingTransferable skill 3.25 3.50
Active LearningEssential skill 3.25 3.38
Complex Problem SolvingTransferable skill 3.12 3.12
InstructingTransferable skill 3.12 3.12
MonitoringEssential skill 3.00 3.75
CoordinationTransferable skill 3.00 3.50
Learning StrategiesEssential skill 3.00 3.25
NegotiationTransferable skill 3.00 3.00
Time ManagementTransferable skill 3.00 3.00
PersuasionTransferable skill 2.88 3.00
Management of Personnel ResourcesTransferable skill 2.88 2.88
Systems AnalysisTransferable skill 2.88 2.75
Systems EvaluationTransferable skill 2.38 2.88
MathematicsEssential skill 2.00 2.00
Management of Financial ResourcesTransferable skill 1.88 1.25
Management of Material ResourcesTransferable skill 1.88 1.25
Quality Control AnalysisTransferable skill 1.75 0.75
Technology DesignTransferable skill 1.75 0.75
ProgrammingTransferable skill 1.62 0.62
Operations MonitoringTransferable skill 1.50 0.50
Operations AnalysisTransferable skill 1.25not rated
Operation and ControlTransferable skill 1.12not rated
ScienceEssential skill 1.12not rated
Equipment MaintenanceTransferable skill 1.00not rated
Equipment SelectionTransferable skill 1.00not rated
InstallationTransferable skill 1.00not rated
RepairingTransferable skill 1.00not rated
TroubleshootingTransferable skill 1.00not rated
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
Knowledge
NameImportanceLevel
Personnel and Human Resources 4.62 5.67
Administrative 3.94 5.27
Administration and Management 3.83 3.91
English Language 3.81 3.62
Customer and Personal Service 3.49 3.72
Law and Government 3.30 2.96
Education and Training 3.07 4.02
Computers and Electronics 2.67 2.80
Communications and Media 2.54 2.55
Mathematics 2.33 2.53
Psychology 2.19 2.63
Public Safety and Security 2.19 1.79
Telecommunications 1.98 0.97
Economics and Accounting 1.81 1.20
Therapy and Counseling 1.68 1.89
Sociology and Anthropology 1.64 1.08
Sales and Marketing 1.62 1.08
Philosophy and Theology 1.53 1.90
Production and Processing 1.39not rated
Foreign Language 1.35not rated
Transportation 1.35not rated
Geography 1.25not rated
Engineering and Technology 1.23not rated
Design 1.22not rated
Medicine and Dentistry 1.13not rated
Building and Construction 1.10not rated
Chemistry 1.09not rated
Food Production 1.08not rated
Mechanical 1.08not rated
History and Archeology 1.07not rated
Biology 1.05not rated
Physics 1.04not rated
Fine Arts 1.02not rated
Abilities
NameImportanceLevel
Oral Comprehension 4.00 4.12
Oral Expression 4.00 4.00
Written Comprehension 4.00 4.00
Deductive Reasoning 3.88 4.00
Speech Clarity 3.88 3.88
Speech Recognition 3.88 3.88
Written Expression 3.88 3.88
Problem Sensitivity 3.88 3.75
Near Vision 3.62 3.62
Inductive Reasoning 3.25 3.50
Information Ordering 3.25 3.50
Category Flexibility 3.12 3.25
Selective Attention 2.88 2.38
Flexibility of Closure 2.75 3.12
Originality 2.75 3.12
Fluency of Ideas 2.75 3.00
Number Facility 2.25 2.38
Mathematical Reasoning 2.25 2.25
Memorization 2.25 2.25
Far Vision 2.12 2.12
Time Sharing 2.12 2.12
Visualization 2.00 2.12
Perceptual Speed 2.00 2.00
Speed of Closure 2.00 2.00
Auditory Attention 1.88 1.38
Finger Dexterity 1.88 1.38
Trunk Strength 1.75 1.25
Hearing Sensitivity 1.75 0.88
Visual Color Discrimination 1.75 0.75
Arm-Hand Steadiness 1.50 0.50
Manual Dexterity 1.50 0.50
Control Precision 1.38 0.38
Wrist-Finger Speed 1.38 0.38
Depth Perception 1.25not rated
Dynamic Strength 1.25not rated
Dynamic Flexibility 1.00not rated
Explosive Strength 1.00not rated
Extent Flexibility 1.00not rated
Glare Sensitivity 1.00not rated
Gross Body Coordination 1.00not rated
Gross Body Equilibrium 1.00not rated
Multilimb Coordination 1.00not rated
Night Vision 1.00not rated
Peripheral Vision 1.00not rated
Rate Control 1.00not rated
Reaction Time 1.00not rated
Response Orientation 1.00not rated
Sound Localization 1.00not rated
Spatial Orientation 1.00not rated
Speed of Limb Movement 1.00not rated
Stamina 1.00not rated
Static Strength 1.00not rated

Software used

Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.

All 172
  • Microsoft SharePoint hot
  • Microsoft Visio hot
  • Microsoft Visual Basic hot
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA hot
  • Microsoft Windows hot
  • Microsoft Word hot
  • Oracle Database hot
  • Oracle PeopleSoft hot
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management hot
  • SAP software hot
  • SAS hot
  • Salesforce software hot
  • Slack hot
  • Tableau hot
  • Teradata Database hot
  • Zoom hot
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • AST Staff Matrix
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Human Capital Application Solution Accelerator
  • Adobe LifeCycle Enterprise Suite
  • Advanced business application programming ABAP
  • Airtable
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • ApplicantPro iApplicants
  • Arbita OnePost
  • Arbita OneWorld
  • Assessment software
  • Background checking software
  • BlackDog Recruiting
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • Blackdog
  • Bond International Adapt Staffing
  • Bond International Software Bond StaffSuite
  • BrightMove Applicant Tracking System
  • Bullhorn Applicant Tracking System
  • COATSsql
  • CVTracer
  • Candidate screening software
  • Candidate tracking software
  • Careerbuilder.com
  • Cluen Encore
  • Cluen executive recruitment software
  • DGCC.com RecruitTrack
  • Data Frenzy
  • Data entry software
  • Database software
  • Drupal
  • Ellucian Banner Human Resources
  • Enterprise JavaBeans
  • Evernote
  • FaceTime
  • FileMaker Pro
  • GoBackgrounds
  • Google
  • Google Ads
  • Google Drive
  • Google Meet
  • Google Slides
  • HRM Direct
  • HireAbility ResumeParser
  • HireLogic PowerPlace
  • Human resource information system (HRIS)
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
  • IBM Notes
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • ICIMS
  • Industrial Code Recruitpoint.net
  • Intelius
  • Intelligent Algorithms InfoGIST Platinum Recruiter
  • Job posting software
  • Kronos Workforce HR
  • Kronos Workforce Payroll
  • Lawson Human Resource Management
  • LexisNexis
  • LinkedIn
  • Loom
  • MPAY Millennium
  • Main Sequence Technologies PCRecruiter
  • Main Sequence Technologies PCRecruiter Resume Inhaler
  • Micro J Systems PcHunter
  • MicroStrategy
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • NetSuite ERP
  • Online databases
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle Eloqua
  • Oracle Fusion Applications
  • Oracle Hyperion
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Human Capital Management
  • Oracle Solaris
  • Oracle Taleo
  • Oracle WebLogic Server
  • Perforce Helix software
  • Post Once
  • PostingPal
  • PowerPlace Professional
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Recruit Wizard
  • RecruitTrack
  • Recruitment management software
  • Recruitpoint.net
  • Resource Edge TalentHook Sphere
  • Resume converter software
  • Resume extraction and search software
  • Resume processing software
  • ResumeRobot
  • SAP Business Objects
  • SAP Crystal Reports
  • SAP ERP Human Capital Management
  • Safari Software Products Safari
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Sendouts Recruiting
  • Silk Road technology OpenHire
  • Skype
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Social media sites
  • Staffing Solutions Enterprises Staff Matrix
  • StaffingSoft Staffing Edition
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Talent Technology HireDesk
  • Talent Technology Resume Mirror
  • Talent Technology Talemetry
  • TalentHook
  • Tax software
  • Technomedia Hodes iQ
  • TempWorks recruiting and staffing software
  • VCG Pointwing
  • Vendor management system software
  • Web browser software
  • YouTube
  • eQuest

Where it concentrates

Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.

Metro areaEmploymentLocation quotientMedian annual
Elizabethtown, KY1,0603.52$78,850
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV4402.08$94,520
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA1,4101.85$86,700
Springfield, IL9501.61$78,840
Manhattan, KS5001.59$76,400
Omaha, NE-IA4,3301.48$61,840
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH21,7701.37$90,270
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL1,4201.34$79,670
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA2,6401.34$70,140
Tallahassee, FL1,4701.34$57,320

More metros, other thresholds