Compensation and benefits managers

Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists held about 677,000 jobs in 2002. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty:

Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists were employed in virtually every industry. About 3,800 specialists were self-employed, working as consultants to public and private employers.

The private sector accounted for almost 8 out of 10 salaried jobs, including 11 percent in professional, scientific, and technical services and 10 percent each in manufacturing industries; health care and social assistance; finance and insurance firms; and administrative and support services.

Government employed about 18 percent of human resources managers and specialists. They handled the recruitment, interviewing, job classification, training, salary administration, benefits, employee relations, and other matters related to the Nation’s public employees.

Annual salary rates for human resources workers vary according to occupation, level of experience, training, location, and size of the firm, and whether they are union members. Median annual earnings of human resources managers were $64,710 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,420 and $88,100. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $36,280, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $114,300. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of human resources managers in 2002 were:

Median annual earnings of training and development specialists were $42,800 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,050 and $56,890. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $24,760, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $72,530. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of training and development specialists in 2002 were:

Median annual earnings of employment, recruitment, and placement specialists were $39,410 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,390 and $54,130. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $24,440, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $73,940. Median annual earnings in 2002 were $34,850 in employment services, the industry employing the largest numbers of these specialists.

Median annual earnings of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists were $45,100 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,000 and $57,230. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $28,160, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $72,250. Median annual earnings in 2002 were $48,870 in local government, the industry employing the largest numbers of these specialists.

According to a 2003 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor’s degree candidates majoring in human resources, including labor relations, received starting offers averaging $35,400 a year.

The average salary for human resources managers employed by the Federal Government was $66,886 in 2003; for employee relations specialists, $63,345; for labor relations specialists, $72,915; and for employee development specialists, $68,735. Salaries were slightly higher in areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. There are no formal entry-level requirements for managerial positions. Applicants must possess a suitable combination of educational attainment, experience, and record of accomplishment.

(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists)

See more recent statistics for employed workers below.