General
Human Resources And Personnel Management
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Human Resources And Personnel Management.
Entry Level Salary
$48,000
Median Salary
$78,000
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,120,000
Entry (Early)
$48,000
Median (Prime)
$78,000
High (Prime)
$80,232
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-23k
+227k
+245k
$25k / yr
-113k
+137k
+155k
$50k / yr
-203k
+47k
+65k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
35
34
$50k / yr
Never
48
45
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-104%
126%
143%
$50k / yr
-93%
22%
30%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate30.8%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Human resources workers
16.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,158|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Human resources managers
7.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$140,030
openings
17,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Management occupations
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,145
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,295|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Financial managers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$96,000|$161,700
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +14.8%
Top executives
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$717
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$153,385|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,444
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Customer service representatives
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$28,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,214|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Elementary and middle school teachers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,388|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,975|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Accountants and auditors
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,845
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,366|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| human resources management and services. | Undergrad Certificate | 94 | $48,073 - $98,082 |
| human resources management and services. | Associate's Degree | 108 | $35,218 - $90,619 |
| human resources management and services. | Bachelor's Degree | 327 | $28,024 - $112,713 |
| human resources management and services. | Post-bacc Certificate | 15 | $78,471 - $80,436 |
| human resources management and services. | Master's Degree | 269 | $27,131 - $155,909 |
| human resources management and services. | Doctoral Degree | 26 | $72,769 - $177,867 |
| human resources management and services. | Graduate Certificate | 60 | $53,958 - $168,934 |
| human resources management and services. | Level 99 | 8 | $52,739 - $67,185 |