Human resources job descriptions
HR leadership, generalist, and recruiting roles. 3 free, ready-to-post templates with May 2025 BLS pay data, exempt status guidance, legal notes, interview questions, and a PDF.
Hiring for HR is a test of your own HR practices. Experienced HR candidates notice when a job description is vague, out of date, or quietly non-compliant, and they draw conclusions about the job from it. These descriptions are written the way a senior HR leader would want them written.
They also help when you're building an HR function for the first time. If you're deciding between hiring an HR generalist, an HR manager, or a recruiter first, compare the descriptions below with our guide to building an HR department and our HR to employee ratio calculator.
3 human resources job descriptions
HR manager
Also called human resources manager, people operations manager, HR business partner.
HR generalist
Also called human resources generalist, people operations generalist, HR coordinator (entry level).
Recruiter
Also called talent acquisition specialist, technical recruiter, corporate recruiter.
Human resources pay snapshot
National median pay for every role in this department, highest to lowest. Use it as a starting point, then check local data before you set a range.
| Role | Median hourly | Annual equivalent | Overtime status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR manager | $71.77 | $149,280 | Usually exempt |
| HR generalist | $36.51 | $75,940 | Exempt or nonexempt |
| Recruiter | $36.51 | $75,940 | Exempt or nonexempt |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Annual equivalent is the hourly median x 2,080 hours. Overtime status is our general guidance; duties and pay decide each case.
Human resources hiring FAQ
Should my first HR hire be a generalist or a manager?
Do HR professionals need certification?
Are recruiters exempt?
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