Human Resources Director

Become a Human Resources Director

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Career Overview

In a business organization the human resources professionals oversee the recruiting and  hiring process, employee training and development, employee benefits and other administrative roles relating to staffing.  In a small organization there is usually one person who handles human resources matters, often within the accounting office.  In larger organizations, the human rights director may oversee departments that handle individual areas such as salary and benefits; training and development; and labor relations. 

Education

Today a person interested in the human resources field can obtain a bachelor’s degree in human resources administration, in occupational training and management, or in business administration with an emphasis on personnel management.  Degrees in psychology or the social sciences are desirable for the training and development fields, as well as for the interviewing process.  Generally a master’s degree is the minimum requirement for a  human resources director.  Human resource directors often work their way up in the departmental ranks, often with the help of continuing education.

Employment

There were 136,000 human resource directors working in the U.S. in 2006, according to the Department of Labor.  There were many more employed in the field working as development specialists, trainers or in recruiting and placement.

Job Outlook

The Department of Labor sees human resources jobs growing at a faster rate than for job growth overall; the agency predicts a 17% growth rate in the decade 2006 – 2016.  Rapid growth is expected particularly in the fields of training and recruitment, so human resource directors with a background in training will be in demand.

Salary

Lowest 10% $56,770

Median Salary $96,130

Highest 10% $163,220

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Become a Human Resources Director

Find the right school today.