8 HR Careers for a Human Resources Degree

A human resources (HR) department is a vital component of any organization that wants a thriving company culture. HR professionals are excellent communicators who play an essential role in recruiting, hiring, and training employees; shaping company culture; and ensuring compliance with employment laws. They’re responsible for managing the life cycle of every employee, from the interview phase to daily performance to departure from the company.

Earning a degree in HR will open the door to a variety of lucrative and dynamic career opportunities in roles such as HR specialist, training and development manager, and compensation specialist. But before you begin your career in human resources, you’ll need to satisfy some educational requirements with coursework such as:

• Employment and labor law
• Talent acquisition
• Agile HR
• HR technology
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Global human resource management
• Functions of human resource management
• Strategic training and development

A bachelor’s degree in human resource management will help you develop career-ready skills in workforce planning, compensation and benefits, economics, and project management. If you want to progress even further in your HR career, then earning a master's in management and leadership or an MBA can prepare you for advanced roles that involve finance, operations, account management, and  leadership. Valuable certifications can also help qualify you for additional responsibilities and promotions. Pursuing any of these educational options will enhance your qualifications as an HR professional.

A human resources professional works directly with an organization's leadership to develop a solid HR agenda that supports the company’s goals. They focus on creating a safe and professional environment for everyone in the workplace. HR responsibilities typically include: 

• Recruiting and staffing
• Benefits and compensation
• Safety compliance
• Labor relations
• Payroll 

HR careers require individuals to be patient, analytical, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Earning a degree in human resources is the first step to playing an instrumental role in any successful business, which is why the demand for HR professionals is so high. Whether you’re interested in recruiting, training, or administration, there’s an HR job that suits you.

HR Specialists 

HR specialists generally work in office settings and handle the responsibilities of recruiting, training, and interviewing job applicants. It’s common for them to handle compensation and benefits packages as well as employee relations. HR specialists may also place job description ads and check references. Entry-level roles, meanwhile, focus more on recruiting employees, screening potential job candidates, assisting in new hire orientation, process payroll, and performing other administrative tasks. HR specialists earn $64,240 per year on average.

Learn more: Get the HR Specialist Career Guide

Human Resources Manager 

Human resources management is a strategic approach to managing employees of a business or organization. An HR manager is a leadership role tasked to maximize employee performance. These managers are often aided by human resources assistants to carry out crucial administrative and documentation duties. HR managers earn a median annual salary of $130,000.

Learn more: Get the Human Resources Manager Career Guide

HR Training Specialists 

HR training specialists are responsible for training employees for the specific jobs they were hired for. This includes creating, organizing, and evaluating employee training programs. They ensure that employees are taught the necessary skills to be successful, educating them on computer applications, phone systems, and policies and procedures. HR training specialists make about $64,635 per year.

Learn more: Get the HR Training Specialist Career Guide 

Training and Development Manager 

An HR training and development manager is responsible for improving employee productivity. This role often includes an upgrade in pay and allows professionals the opportunity to engage in strategic planning. Training and development managers take on the responsibility of coordinating business training and performance. The average annual salary for this role is $127,768.

Job Analysis and Compensation Specialist

Job analysis professionals and compensation specialists oversee wage programs that a business or organization provides to their employees. They are skilled and educated in analyzing data and performing the necessary research for their wage programs. They compare benefit policies, plans, and fair salaries while making an average annual salary of $67,780.

Learn more: Get the Job Analysis and Compensation Specialist Career Guide

Compensation and Benefits Manager

To assume the role of compensation and benefits manager, it’s necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in HR as well as at least a couple of years of professional experience in HR. Compensation and benefits managers have a strong background in finance and statistical analysis. These skills are crucial when it comes to analyzing data to determine fair pay and benefits for a business's employees. These managers are also responsible for monitoring trends affecting benefits to improve their organization's pay structure. The average annual salary for a compensation and benefits manager is $132,237.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Research shows that diverse workplaces tend to be more innovative. A director of diversity and inclusion oversees the implementation of necessary programs that promote diversity within a business. They establish and uphold standards of practice, study and obey employment law, and create inclusive programs. An equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace is one in which all employees feel valued and respected regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, education, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. The director of diversity and inclusion is committed to creating a workspace with non-discriminatory practices and equitable opportunities for employment and advancement in all departments, programs, and services. This role protects marginalized people. Directors of diversity and inclusion make an average salary of $197,333 per year.

Learn more: Get the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Career Guide 

Chief Human Resources Officer

The chief human resources officer (CHRO)  is a key leader in an organization, responsible for aligning HR strategies with the company’s overall business plan. They oversee the human resources department, including hiring, training, orientation, and employee performance. CHRO’s also provide leadership and guidance to other HR professionals in their department to ensure operations align with the organization’s standards. This position earns a median annual salary of $250,887.

Learn more: Get the Chief Human Resources Officer Career Guide

Human resources professionals need to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to acquire the business and managerial skills necessary to thrive in this field. Earning a human resources degree opens up many career possibilities, including working as an HR analyst, director of diversity, human resources manager, benefits manager, or compensation specialist. 

WGU’s online bachelor’s degree in human resource management is designed to help professionals gain vital HR skills. With coursework available 24/7, students are able to progress as quickly as they can master the material. If you're ready for an exciting career focused on connecting with employees and helping them thrive, WGU’s B.S. in Human Resource Management can help you boost your earning potential and find great career success in the field of HR.

Is HR growing as a field? 

HR is an essential and rapidly evolving field that allows professionals to enjoy a competitive job market for full-time employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) concluded that the job outlook for human resource professionals is trending positively, with a projected 6% growth rate from 2022 to 2032.

What else can you do with a human resources degree? 

Earning a degree in human resources is the first step to a career in organizing, leading, and coordinating HR activities. HR professionals also acquire valuable experience in areas like accounting, marketing, management, and leadership. Their skills can transfer to careers outside HR, in roles such as executive recruiter, career counselor, social media manager, training and development specialist, and payroll specialist.   

Is HR a good career? 

Companies rely on HR to find and maintain talent, maximize employee productivity, create benefits packages, and implement company-wide policies that improve culture and operations. This career field yields high job satisfaction, great earning potential, and plenty of opportunity for growth—so if you’re looking for all that and more, HR is a solid path to consider. 

The average annual pay for HR professionals is $64,240, with the highest 10% earning around $116,060. And the human resources workforce is projected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, with around 78,700 openings for human resources specialists each year. That means plenty of opportunities to find your perfect fit in this rewarding career field.