BUSINESS Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Human Resources Assistants

Human Resources Assistants earn $50,610 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $44,030 and $59,800. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Human Resources Assistants

Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.


Median Wage
$50,610
Employed Nationally
90K
Openings / Year
9,000
Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Assignment Clerk Benefits Clerk Benefits Coordinator Benefits Technician Civil Service Clerk

How Much Do Human Resources Assistants Make?

Human Resources Assistants earn $50,610 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,030 and $59,800. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$50,610
National Median (Annual)

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$44K–$60K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Human Resources Assistants Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Human Resources Assistants roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.
  • Record data for each employee, including such information as addresses, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports on performance, and dates of and reasons for terminations.
  • Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
  • Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker's compensation plans.
  • Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Writing Monitoring

Who Thrives Here

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Where Do Human Resources Assistants Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for Human Resources Assistants?

The BLS projects -7.1% employment change for Human Resources Assistants through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 9,000 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↘ -7.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Declining employment projected.

9,000
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

90K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Human Resources Assistants professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $50,610 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 California 11,790 $56,860 +12.3%
2 New York 7,470 $53,250 +5.2%
3 Texas 6,300 $45,470 -10.2%
4 New Jersey 4,780 $49,920 -1.4%
5 Florida 4,520 $46,580 -8.0%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Human Resources Assistants positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Associate's degree
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Human Resources 25,350 $68,069 812
2 Business Operations Support and Assistant 16,604 $28,311 940

Top Colleges for Aspiring Human Resources Assistants

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 93 $3,033 $75,971
2 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 93 $12,548 $82,511
3 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 91 $13,138 $83,648
4 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 90 $15,846 $91,565
5 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 90 $11,655 $72,200
6 Florida International University Miami, FL 90 $9,288 $60,249

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Human Resources Assistants, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Human Resources Assistants Pros & Cons

Human Resources Assistants has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.

PROS
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Modest median salary At $50,610 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
  • Declining employment The BLS projects -7.1% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.

Human Resources Assistants Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Human Resources Assistants professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Human Resources Assistants is $50,610, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,030 and $59,800. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Human Resources Assistants a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -7.1% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $50,610 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Human Resources Assistants?
Most Human Resources Assistants positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Human Resources are common starting points.
Why are Human Resources Assistants jobs declining?
The BLS projects -7.1% employment change for Human Resources Assistants through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 9,000 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 90K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Human Resources Assistants professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Human Resources Assistants roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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