» Human Services

Career path in Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists

By: Meg Dilts


Every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. However, many enterprises are too large to permit close contact between top management and employees. Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists provide this connection.

Many colleges and universities have programs leading to a degree in personnel, human resources, or labor relations. Some offer degree programs in human resources administration or human resources management, training and development, or compensation and benefits. Depending on the school, courses leading to a career in human resources management may be found in departments of business administration, education, instructional technology, organizational development, human services, communication, or public administration, or within a separate human resources institution or department.

Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists held about 868,000 jobs in 2006. Employment of human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. College graduates who have earned certification should have the best job opportunities.

Median annual earnings of compensation and benefits managers were $74,750 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,370 and $99,690. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,820. In 2006, median annual earnings were $85,330 in the management of companies and enterprises industry.


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm (visited April 29, 2009).


Rate Author: Current: 3/5
Rate this Article: Current: 3/5
Date Added: 2009-04-29 Views : 215