What Is a Human Resources Specialist? Career and Salary Outlook
Last Updated July 12, 2023
Human resources is a field that consistently appears on best career lists, with its variety of specializations and opportunity for meaningful work that impacts people at every level of an organization.
The role of the human resources specialist contributes to the wellbeing and development of an organization’s most precious asset, its people. This provides many opportunities for personal and professional growth and the development of both hard and soft people skills, making it one of the top jobs in the United States, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
Likewise, U.S. News & World Report ranks human resources specialist at No. 17 on their list of Best Business Jobs and as one of the 100 Best Jobs overall for 2020.
These high marks are part of the reason why human resources may be right for those looking for more meaning in their day-to-day work, and why the role of human resources specialist in particular can provide both experienced and emerging professionals with a more people-focused way to apply their specialized knowledge and skills.
What Is a Human Resources Specialist?
Human resources specialists are trained in all aspects of human resources, so they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle personnel issues within an organization, recruit and hire new talent, and facilitate training and on-boarding into the company. However, they are specialists for a reason–they specialize in one certain area of human resources and apply a higher level of technical skill and specialized knowledge to benefit their organization.
These specialized areas of responsibility within HR can include:
- Risk Management
- Employee and Labor Relations
- Training and Development
- Total Rewards
- Workforce Planning and Workflow Analysis
What Does a Human Resources Specialist Do?
From day to day, the duties of a human resources specialist may vary. While they have a specific human resources area, a specialist may have a different set of tasks to complete every day, wearing other hats within the department as needed.
“There’s enough variety for everyone, and each specialty requires a different knowledge base,” says Nancy H. Segal, owner of HR consulting firm Solutions for the Workplace LLC.
This variety in HR areas, job titles and responsibilities provide the opportunity for individuals to find their “specialist” niche in HR, particularly in larger organizations where a human resources specialist’s responsibilities may be more narrowly defined based on area.
As described by the Society for Human Resource Management, some of these specialist areas and responsibilities can include:
Recruitment and Retention Specialist
Under the umbrella of Workforce Planning, their responsibilities can include implementing the organization’s recruiting strategy, interviewing applicants, administering pre-employment tests, assisting with conducting background checks, and processing transfers, promotions and terminations.
Compensation and Benefits Specialist
As part of Total Rewards, their area is the one many employees care about most—salary and benefits. Their responsibilities can include analyzing job titles and duties to help set salaries, conducting and analyzing compensation surveys, evaluating and administering benefits plans and monitoring benefits costs.
Training and Development Specialist
With a focus on continually developing an organization’s workforce, they’re conducting training sessions, administering on-the-job training programs, evaluating training program success and maintaining records of employee participation and improvements made through the programs.
Are Human Resources Specialists in Demand?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the availability of human resources specialist jobs are expected to grow by 5% between 2018 and 2028 and job prospects are expected to be “favorable,” with 67,700 openings projected annually through 2028.1 This growth in human resources specialist opportunities is projected to be highest in organizations within the scientific, technical and professional services sectors.
Not only do these sectors offer more job opportunities for human resources specialists, they also offer higher salaries—a $70,180 median annual salary for human resources specialists in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors compared to the overall median salary of $61,920.2
As COVID-19 continues to impact how and where employees work, the need for human resources specialists with extensive knowledge of healthcare options and complicated employment laws will only continue to increase.
How Do I Become a Human Resources Specialist?
A human resources specialist typically has a bachelor’s degree in business, human resources or a related area. Those human resources specialists working in a more specialized area may have a degree related to that field. For example, a training and development specialist may have their bachelor’s degree in psychology or education, while a compensation and benefits specialist may hold a degree in accounting.
These specialists often have previous work experience within another area of the organization or in another industry or field altogether. For those with experience and a degree in another field, a certificate in human resources may be the perfect complement. This credential can provide HR skills and knowledge without the time and expense of pursuing a second degree.
The types of certificates can range from a Professional Certificate to a Master Certificate to the more extensive Graduate Certificate. It all depends on the depth of knowledge you’re seeking, the skills you’re targeting and the professional goals you’ve set.
Is Human Resources Specialist a Good Career Choice?
Whether you are just starting out in your career, re-entering the workforce or looking to make a career shift into a more strategic or people-centric role, making the move into human resources could be a good next career step, with the role of human resources specialist providing opportunities to apply and expand your knowledge while helping an organization secure its most valuable asset—its people.
See how a Professional Certificate or Master Certificate from Michigan State University can help prepare you for a role in human resources.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Specialists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-6 (visited August 11, 2020).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Specialists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-5 (visited August 11, 2020).
*National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and degree program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research on specific employment information.
