What Is a Human Resources Manager? | Your 2025 Guide

A human resources (HR) manager oversees a company or business's administrative and organizational functions. The manager usually heads the HR department and plays an important role as a bridge between management and employees.  

HR managers work in nearly every industry. As long as a company has employees, an HR manager is typically needed to oversee hiring, training, and the organization and development of the company culture.

Learn more about what a human resources manager does, the salary and job outlook for the role, and how to begin a career in human resources.

What is a human resources manager?

A human resources manager overlooks the human resources department of a company or organization and often performs various tasks ranging from administrative work to enacting policies and setting up an employee’s onboarding and benefits package.

A company may utilize a human resources manager to ensure that recruitment and training processes run smoothly and that new hires have the necessary resources and tools for professional success.

What does an HR manager do?

As a human resources manager, you'll typically perform a wide range of tasks depending on the type of organization and industry you work for. Some common human resources manager duties include:

• Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff

• Supervising disputes and overseeing disciplinary procedures

• Handling employee relations

• Ensuring safety and health on the job

• Managing employee benefit and compensation programs

The role of a human resources manager will largely depend on the size of the company. In some smaller companies, you may serve as an HR generalist, overseeing the entire scope of human resources. In other companies, there may be more than one HR manager in the human resources department, each with their own specialty. 

In larger organizations with more specialized human resources management roles, the specialties are typically down into the following categories:

• HR development: This department conducts training sessions and onboarding for new and seasoned employees.

• Workforce planning and employment: In this specialty, you help find new talent for the company.

• Employee relations: This sector helps negotiate union contracts, resolve grievances, and negotiate collective bargaining agreements and is responsible for employee involvement, engagement programs, and similar employee-related roles.

• Risk management: In this department, you typically conduct inspections, maintain accident records, develop health and safety programs, and work to ensure the well-being of all employees.

• Total rewards: For this role, you typically oversee employee compensation and benefits programs.

Why pursue a career in human resources management?

Human resources management is a position that spans across industries, with nearly every workplace having an HR department. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that HR management jobs will grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations [1].

The BLS also reported that the median annual salary for an HR manager in the US was $136,350 [1].

What industry pays HR the most? 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers working in the motion picture and video industries typically earn the highest salary, with a median salary of $236,420 [2]. Your salary as an HR manager may also vary depending on factors such as your geographical location and education level. 

How to become a human resources manager

Human resources managers need to be highly motivated, organized, ethical, and possess good leadership skills. They also need the right training and education to perform their duties effectively.

Degree requirements for HR managers 

Getting the right education is the first step to becoming a human resources manager. A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement for this job position. However, some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in human resource management or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in HR.

According to Zippia, 67 percent of human resources managers have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 14 percent who pursue a master’s degree and 13 percent who hold an associate degree [3].

HR manager certifications

HR certifications may also help enhance your resume and validate that you have the skills necessary for the job. Some companies require popular certifications, such as:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certificate is offered by the Human Resources Standards Institute and focuses on mastery of skills related to the technical and operational functions of HR management.

• Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), offered by the Association for Talent Development, provides additional skills and knowledge for HR managers who work in employee learning and performance.

• Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD), offered by the Association for Talent Development, is for HR professionals who work in talent management.

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), offered by the Human Resources Standards Institute, is for senior management or HR directors who want to advance their skills and training to the next level.

• Senior SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), offered by the Society for Human Resource Management, prepares professionals to become leaders in HR management and focuses on employee performance and efficiency.

Get started in human resources with Coursera.

Human resources managers oversee an organization’s human resources department and have many responsibilities, including onboarding new employees and ensuring company policies are continuously met.

Set yourself on a path to a career in HR management with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois. See if a career in HR might be a good fit for you by taking a beginner-friendly course, like Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization, from the University of Minnesota.