HR professionals serve an essential purpose within a company, ensuring a healthy and productive work environment. Thanks to high-tech advancements and the transformation of the job market, the industry is in constant evolution.
Here are some statistics and facts concerning human resources that will keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.
Top Human Resources Stats: Editor’s Choice
- The median HR specialists’ annual salary in the US was $63,490 in 2020.
- In the US, 73.8% of workers in the HR industry are women.
- 83% of people consider a negative interview experience a dealbreaker.
- Complexity causes 60% of potential employees not to fill a job application.
- Diversity and inclusion encourage 76% of candidates to join the company.
- Lack of career development is the reason for 82% of resigning employees.
- 40% of employees leave their workplace because of burnout.
- In the UK, the HR market size is expected to reach £1 billion by 2022.
Average Human Resources Salaries
The HR department plays a vital role in preventing business failure. A motivated and prepared professional has the required skills to employ the most suitable candidates for a job position. Let’s see what the numbers say.
1. In 2020, the median annual HR specialist salary was $63,490 in the US.
The median salary in the field has been $30.52 per hour as of May 2020. Nonetheless, the pay can vary greatly depending on the working conditions, the type of job performed, and the company’s industry.
2. In 2020, the median HR assistant salary was $43,250 annually in the US.
As of 2020, the hourly median HR assistant rate has been $20.79, except for Payroll and Timekeeping. As previously mentioned, the pay can vary according to the industry in which HR assistants are employed.
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing is the sector with the highest salary, standing at an annual mean wage of $71,410.
3. The 2020 median salary of US HR managers was $121,220 per year.
So, how much do HR managers make per hour? A staggering median wage of $58.28, which is twice as much as assistants. Managers are expected to have at least five years of experience in a related position and a bachelor’s degree.
4. HR assistants in San Francisco earn an average of $42,941 annually.
Human resource statistics demonstrate that San Francisco is the top-paying US city for HR assistants and other specialists—generalists, managers, and recruiters. Washington is second with an average salary of $41,604, and Boston comes third with $41,321.
Human Resources Demographics
While women are strongly represented in the HR industry workforce, some pressing issues still need to be addressed regarding gender equality. Let’s take a look at some stats on the subject.
5. In the US, women account for 73.8% of human resources workers.
Human resources facts show that women are predominantly employed in the industry. About 647,000 female professionals are working in this field as managers, assistants, and recruiters compared to 230,000 men.
6. Women earn a median salary of $64,549 in the HR sector.
Being the biggest demographic in the industry does not ensure fair treatment for women. The human resources salary for male workers is on average $79,846 yearly across all specialties, and the vast difference indicates a need for more focus on gender equality.
7. In the US, the average age of human resources workers is 40.9.
The difference between women and men in terms of age is not substantial. According to statistics concerning the human resources industry, the average age for women is 41 years, while it’s 40.8 for men.
8. Diversity is a “competitive advantage” for companies, according to 78% of people surveyed.
Addressing equity and inclusion in the workplace is a must for companies. Statistics on the subject confirm that the role of HR on this matter is crucial to ensure a diverse and fair recruiting process.
Interesting Facts About Human Resources Employment
One of the most well-known responsibilities of HR is recruiting. This stage is the most essential and feared by many applicants for securing a job position. Now, let’s see some statistics about employees’ behavior during interviews.
9. 83% of potential employees say that a negative interview experience can make them change their decision.
Human resource statistics for 2020 show that the company’s first appearance considerably influences talents’ decisions. Similarly, 87% of people believe that a positive interview experience can improve their idea of a company they initially doubted.
10. 95% of potential employees consider the interview experience an image of the company’s behavior.
Interviews are not done to assess only the candidates’ performance. Considering these facts about human resources, interviewees also test the company’s conditions and the possibility of having career growth in that workplace.
11. 60% of candidates quit filling a job application due to its complexity.
Although the candidate is genuinely interested in the job vacancy, filling out the application is often too complex or time-consuming. According to human resources employment stats, simplifying job applications might improve the recruitment process.
12. 76% of potential employees are eager to join a diverse company.
If the company has people of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, gender, and experiences, it could result in a broad spectrum of ideas. This approach encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Additional HR statistics for 2021 reveal that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if the company lacks inclusivity.
13. 61% of new hires didn’t get any training on the company’s culture.
This human resource data shows how challenging it is to retain talents. Many potential employees don’t identify with the company’s values, vision, and mission. As a result, this might compromise the efficiency of teamwork and the company’s image.
14. Thanks to employee onboarding, new workers are 54% more productive.
When it comes to performance review, statistics indicate that onboarding enhances job satisfaction and a higher level of engagement with the company.
In addition, the risk of early turnover is reduced over time, as the employees will perform tasks correctly, more efficiently, and with less supervision.
15. 76% of HR professionals consider their company’s onboarding processes underutilized.
HR statistics show how underrated and underused onboarding processes are. About 55% of companies admit they do not measure the effectiveness of such practices. In this case, benefits and improvements are concepts that will remain unknown.
Employee Retention and Engagement Statistics
A company’s primary goal is to retain its customers while gaining new ones. The same happens in the human resources industry. Besides attracting new talents, employees need to be constantly engaged, trained, and work in a healthy and growing environment.
16. 82% of employees would leave their companies because of a lack of career development.
According to human resource statistics, lack of career growth, low pay, and no promotions are the top three factors that condition employees’ decision to quit. However, about 35% of them declared they would most likely return if offered a better salary or position.
17. Around 54% of workers would prefer working remotely after the pandemic ends.
These HR statistics prove that the pandemic has considerably affected employees’ points of view. Since most responsibilities can be handled remotely, more and more people are requesting to start working in the comfort of their homes.
18. 30% of new employees resign within the first three months of employment.
Almost a third of new employees trust their instincts in whether to stay at a company. Additional human capital facts prove that company culture matters—32% of workers would agree to a 10% reduction in salary if they were strongly committed to its values.
19. Burnout is the reason for 40% of employees deciding to resign.
Human resources industry statistics also clarify that employee burnout is caused by unfair payment in 41% of the cases, the unreasonable workload in 32%, and excessive overtime in 32%.
20. 67% of employees say that respect plays a crucial role in job satisfaction.
The company culture, respect, motivation, and fairness are all relevant to increasing job satisfaction and employee engagement. According to research, a respectful attitude ranked higher than rewarding compensation, which was prioritized by 63%.
Human Resources Technology Trends
After the COVID-19 outbreak, remote working has become the norm. Consequently, the HR department offered new technological solutions to address temporary and persistent issues.
21. 70% of HR managers say that the industry needs a digital transformation.
HR industry trends show that only 40% of the managers had a concrete roadmap to address the required digital transformation and make the most of it. Moreover, only 37% of them feel they currently have the skills and tools to convey these changes.
22. 49% of companies have invested in human resources and information technology.
Numbers show that digitization has already begun for half of the companies. Over the next two years, organizations expect to invest between 47% and 60% in predictive analytics, process automation, and artificial intelligence.
23. 66% of HR managers prioritize the training of their staff in the use of AI.
Human resources industry trends confirm that staff training plays an essential role in software implementation.
To manage the impact of AI-related technologies properly, staff must know how to leverage them. In fact, AI is expected to be an everyday tool for human capital in the upcoming years.
Human Resources Career Outlook and Other Key Facts
Here is some exciting data that will answer some of the most pressing questions regarding the size of the HR market and trends in outsourcing practices.
24. 70% of companies outsource HR to reduce costs.
Reducing costs has always been a critical driver for companies. However, these HR outsourcing statistics reveal that, a few years ago, there were other reasons for doing so, such as scaling faster and improving user experience.
Because of the pandemic, cost reduction has recently become the leading cause.
25. The HR market size in the UK is to reach £1 billion in the 2021-2022 period.
The HR industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4%, considering the increased demand from the public sector, banking, financial, and insurance services.
HR statistics for the UK refer specifically to considerable growth in outsourcing services for the last few years. That allows companies to improve their efficiency and reduce costs.
26. 55% of employees are high performers if they have total work flexibility.
One of the most significant changes that the pandemic has brought is reinvention and work flexibility. Gartner’s HR statistics show that in 2021, it is more common to see employees being measured more by their performance than by a specific number of hours worked.
27. 68% of companies provide wellness benefits for their employees during the pandemic.
Human resources statistics show companies aim to reduce the negative impact of the global emergency while taking care of employees’ mental health and ensuring good performance. Such benefits will become a trend, removing the taboo on mental health issues.
Human Resources Stats: The Takeaway
As discussed in this article, HR’s work is all about enhancing growth by recruiting the right employees, analyzing good practices and causes of early turnover.
In addition, having professionals who can provide you with an HR statistical analysis with concrete, reliable, and timely information also allows you to adapt strategies, even in times of emergency.
Hopefully, these statistics will help you find the solution that best fits your needs, whether you are developing an HR area for your small business or thinking of outsourcing your services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the human resources industry in demand?
HR professionals have an essential function in any company. Certain industries, such as financial, banking and insurance services, are increasing their demand for qualified specialists in the field.
However, the HR field is undergoing a technological transition. Some tasks, such as recruiting, might remain similar. Nonetheless, others may evolve to adapt to the working conditions.
What is the future of HR?
The human resources sector will adapt to whatever the future brings. It’s evident that specific trends are here to stay, such as labor flexibility and remote work. That significant benefits concerning employees and technology implementation.
As for jobs in general, some roles will not disappear, but many of them will undergo incredible changes—and it will be HR’s responsibility to accompany them.
What is the highest position in HR?
The highest positions depend on several factors, such as the industry, the overall number of employees, and the company’s organizational chart. In some firms, the highest position in the department is held by managers.
There are also roles such as Director, Chief, and Vice President of Human Resources in larger companies. The latter represents the highest position within large corporations, often with subsidiaries in different regions.
Which country is best for HR jobs?
Determining which country is better for a profession depends on the number of job openings and growth opportunities. Potential for intellectual development and better salaries are among the essential factors as well.
Three countries recognized for their excellent proposals, with competitive wages, are the US, Canada, and the UK. For example, the hourly salary for an entry-level HR analyst in the US is $13.78, in Canada is CA$17.07, and in the UK—£25.45.
What is the highest paying job in HR?
The highest-paid position is the Vice President of Human Resources. The average salary, however, depends on the industry and seniority. For example, a person who was recently appointed to the position will earn about $88,000.
According to the human resources stats, the more experienced the workers, the higher their income. After five years in the position, the average annual salary will be about $103,079, and after ten, it will surpass $130,000.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Crowdstaffing, Data USA, Deloitte, Deputy, G2, Gartner, Glassdoor, Head Start, HRexecutive, Ibis World, KPMG, Paycor, People Managing People, Pew Research, PR Newswire, Talent LMS, Workable, Zoom Shift
