Career Moves: Training & Human Resources Specialists
Highlights
The educational backgrounds of these workers vary considerably, reflecting the diversity of duties and levels of responsibility.
College graduates and those who have earned certification should have the best job and advancement opportunities.
Human resources occupations require strong interpersonal skills.
Much faster than average growth is expected during the projection period.
Job Outlook
Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists occupations. College graduates and those who have earned certification should have the best job opportunities.
Overall employment is projected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Legislation and court rulings revising standards in various areas—occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, wages, healthcare, retirement plans, and family leave, among others—will increase demand for human resources, training, and labor relations experts.
Earnings
Annual salary rates for human resources workers vary according to occupation, level of experience, training, location, and firm size.
Median annual wages of training and development specialists were $51,450 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $38,550 and $67,450. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,160.
Your Education
The educational backgrounds of human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists vary considerably, reflecting the diversity of duties and levels of responsibility. In filling entry-level jobs, many employers seek college graduates who have majored in human resources, human resources administration, or industrial and labor relations. Other employers look for college graduates with a technical or business background or a well-rounded liberal arts education.
Source
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition
For more information on this career track, visit the BLS website.
