Human resources managers
SOC Code: 11-3121
Human resources managers carries a 45% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $140,030 and +5.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 221,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 45% AI exposure, Human resources managers sits 8 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 81% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Human resources managers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Human resources managers has ai exposure of 45%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Human resources managers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Human resources managers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Human resources managers (SOC 11-3121) carries an AI exposure score of 45%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 221,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.0% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $140,030, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Human resources managers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
- 2. Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
- 3. Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
- 4. Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- 5. Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts.
- 6. Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.
- 7. Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
- 8. Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
- 9. Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview, and select applicants.
- 10. Investigate and report on industrial accidents for insurance carriers.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Writing
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- Personnel and Human Resources
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
- Psychology
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Human resources managers?
Human resources managers has an AI exposure score of 45%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Human resources managers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Human resources managers is projected to grow by 5.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 221,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Human resources managers?
Key skills for Human resources managers include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Human resources managers earn?
The median annual wage for Human resources managers is $140,030, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Human resources managers?
The typical entry-level education for Human resources managers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect 5 years or more of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Human resources managers?
Human resources managers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).