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Human resources manager

Also called HR manager, HRM manager, staffing manager

Human resources managers plan, design and implement processes related to the human capital of companies. They develop programs for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting employees based on a previous assessment of the profile and skills required in the company. Moreover, they manage compensation and development programs for the company's employees comprising trainings, skill assessment and yearly evaluations, promotion, expat programs, and general assurance of the well-being of the employees in the workplace.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Administrative and commercial managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,500 (Romania) to €12,800 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Administrative and commercial managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree8 in 10 have a degree.Administrative and commercial managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Human resource managers · ILO

What you'd do

Human resource managers · ILO
  • Planning, directing and coordinating the personnel and industrial relations activities, policies and practices of an enterprise or organization
  • Planning and organizing procedures for recruitment, training, promotion, transfer and dismissal of staff
  • Planning and organizing negotiations and procedures for determination of wage structures and level and for consultation with workers on conditions of employment
  • Overseeing safety, health and related programmes and activities
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Overseeing the development and implementation of management information systems
  • Ensuring compliance with standards and legislation relating to employees rights, health and safety, equal opportunity and related concerns
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff for the entire enterprise or organization
  • Consulting with senior management and with managers of other departments
  • Representing the enterprise or organization in dealings with outside bodies
Shape corporate cultureTrack key performance indicatorsPlan medium to long term objectivesDevelop training programmesNegotiate with employment agencies+ 23 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Human Resources Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as administrative and commercial managers in the EU
2.6m3.02m2.85m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
660,000 replacing leavers 115,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Administrative and commercial managers18
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of human resource managers, 10 a surplus.
Human resource managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,500 a month (Romania) to €12,800 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of administrative and commercial managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 76%Vocational 14%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 2%
Fields that teach it
Management and administration · Law
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.36 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Overseeing the development and implementation of management information systems0.47
Consulting with senior management and with managers of other departments0.39
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.38
Representing the enterprise or organization in dealings with outside bodies0.37
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff for the entire enterprise or organization0.36
Planning, directing and coordinating the personnel and industrial relations activities, policies and practices of an enterprise or organization0.36
Planning and organizing procedures for recruitment, training, promotion, transfer and dismissal of staff0.35
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.35
Planning and organizing negotiations and procedures for determination of wage structures and level and for consultation with workers on conditions of employment0.32
Ensuring compliance with standards and legislation relating to employees rights, health and safety, equal opportunity and related concerns0.30
Overseeing safety, health and related programmes and activities0.28

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for human resource managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).