Human resources officer

What does a human resources officer do?

• Advertise jobs, screen applications and organise interviews.
• Prepare contracts and help new staff settle in.
• Advise managers and employees on policies, pay, leave and working conditions.
• Support disciplinary, grievance and absence cases fairly and within the law.
• Organise training, development and performance reviews.
• Keep employee records accurate, secure and confidential.
• Collect and report workforce data to support planning.

Where do they work?

HR officers work in almost every sector, including government, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, technology and finance. Others work for recruitment agencies, HR consultancies and companies that provide HR services to other employers. The work is mainly office-based, hybrid working is common, and hours are usually regular. Some tasks, such as handling dismissals, redundancies or complaints, can be emotionally demanding.

What skills do you need?

• Knowledge of employment law and HR policy
• Recruitment and interviewing
• Listening and clear communication
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Handling conflict fairly
• HR systems and workforce data
• Organisation and administration
• Ethical judgement

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• recruit employees
• manage payroll
• apply company policies
• negotiate employment agreements
• observe confidentiality
• fix meetings
• document interviews
• interview people
• profile people
• listen actively
• write work-related reports
• develop professional network

Essential knowledge: labour legislation · employment law · job market offers

How do you become a human resources officer?

Many people start in HR as an administrator, assistant or recruitment coordinator and progress to officer level. A degree in human resource management, business, psychology, law or sociology is helpful, and some employers run HR graduate schemes. Professional qualifications strengthen your prospects: examples include CIPD qualifications in the UK and Ireland, SHRM and HRCI certifications in the United States, and those of national HR institutes in other countries. Career changers from administration, customer service, management or recruitment often move in through junior roles. Because employment law differs between countries, local knowledge is important.

1. University degree. A degree in human resource management, business, psychology or a related subject gives you a foundation in organisational behaviour, employment law and people management. Some programmes are accredited by professional HR bodies, which can shorten later qualifications. Placements and part-time work in HR teams help you get the first job.
2. Entry-level role or apprenticeship. You can start as an HR administrator or assistant, or as an apprentice in countries that offer HR apprenticeships, such as the UK. These roles teach you the basics of records, recruitment and policy. Many employers then support you to take a professional HR qualification while working.
3. Career change with a professional qualification. People with experience in management, administration, training or recruitment can move into HR by taking a professional qualification or a master's in human resource management. Experience of managing people and dealing with workplace issues is valued. Starting at a junior level in HR is common, even for experienced career changers.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Business management

  A business management degree teaches how organisations are run, including strategy, marketing, finance, people management and operations.

  6 linked careers

• Psychology

  A psychology degree is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: how people think, feel, learn, develop and relate to each other.

  6 linked careers

• Law

  A law degree teaches how legal systems work and how to find, interpret and apply the law, from contracts and crime to human rights.

  6 linked careers

• Sociology

  A sociology degree studies how societies work: how groups, institutions and cultures shape people's lives, and why inequality, crime, migration and social change happen.

  6 linked careers

Ready to apply? Build a free CV and cover letter with our CV builder

Do you need a licence to work as a human resources officer?

Human resources is not a regulated profession, so you do not need a licence to work in it. Professional bodies offer voluntary qualifications and certifications, and some employers ask for them. HR officers must apply employment, equality, data protection and health and safety laws, which vary widely between countries. In some countries, businesses that recruit workers for other employers, especially for jobs abroad, need a government licence.

How much does a human resources officer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $75,940Median annual wage, May 2025
• $47,180–$128,720Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 912.4KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 13-1071, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes human resources officer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. HR assistant or administrator
2. HR officer or adviser
3. HR business partner or HR manager
4. Head of HR or HR director
5. Chief people officer

Job outlook

Every employer needs to recruit, pay, develop and support its staff, so HR work exists across the economy, although hiring slows when organisations cut jobs. HR software and AI now handle much administration, screening of applications and routine questions, which raises important questions about fairness and privacy. HR officers who understand data, employment law and employee wellbeing, and who can advise managers well, are likely to stay in demand. Some routine HR work is moving to shared service centres.

Questions about becoming a human resources officer

What qualifications do you need to work in HR?

Many HR officers have a degree in human resource management, business, psychology or a related subject, but it is not always required. Professional qualifications, such as those from CIPD in the UK or SHRM in the United States, are often more important for progression. Employers also value practical experience, knowledge of local employment law and good judgement.

Can you get into HR without a degree?

Yes. Many people start as HR administrators, recruitment coordinators or apprentices and learn on the job. Taking a professional HR qualification while working helps you move up to officer and manager roles. A degree can make it easier to join graduate schemes and some larger employers, but experience and qualifications can replace it.

What does an HR officer do day to day?

A typical day might include answering questions from staff and managers, updating employee records, organising interviews, preparing contracts and supporting a manager with a performance or absence case. HR officers also work on projects, such as new policies, training programmes or wellbeing initiatives. The balance depends on the size of the organisation.

Is HR a good career?

HR suits people who are interested in how organisations work and enjoy helping others. It offers jobs in almost every sector and a clear path into management. The challenges include difficult conversations, balancing the interests of staff and the employer, and keeping up with changing laws. Because employment law differs by country, moving abroad may require retraining.

Related careers

• Project manager

  Project managers plan, organise and lead projects so they are finished on time, within budget and to the agreed standard.

  Degree often expected

• Management consultant

  Management consultants help organisations solve problems and improve performance, for example by changing strategy, reducing costs, reorganising teams or introducing new technology.

  Degree usually needed

• Social worker

  Social workers support children, families and adults who face serious difficulties, such as abuse, neglect, poverty, disability, mental illness or addiction.

  Degree required · Licensed

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 13-1071, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2423.3

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a human resources officer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/human-resources-officer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

Report a data or content issue