14 Entry-Level Human Resources Jobs: All You Need to Know

After completing a human resources education program, the next step for many graduates is to seek entry-level positions in the field. You might be wondering, “Are there entry-level human resources jobs near me?” Well, the good news is that the human resources industry is multifaceted and diverse. This enables prospective professionals to explore a variety of entry-level jobs in human resources to get started in their careers.

The human resources field is constantly expanding. I can bet that almost every employee has met an HR professional. It can be quite confusing, however, to understand what these key individuals do within an organization. Perhaps this is due to the wide range of specializations and areas of concentration offered in the field.

HR professionals can be responsible for managing different areas of a company’s workforce such as recruiting, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, HR training, employment compliance, diversity, equity and inclusion, HRIS technology, and HR communications. So, what are some entry-level Human Resources jobs?

Let’s go into the specifics of how to break into the impressive field of HR, what paths may lead to entry-level HR jobs, and how to become acquainted with some of the more prevalent HR positions.

Key Takeaways

HR titles and responsibilities can vary depending on the company, industry, department, geographic location, and business requirements.
All practical paths into HR include obtaining an HR or related degree or certification, as well as part-time, contract work, or internships.
Regardless of which path you pursue, one important takeaway is the ability to define your relevant skills and experience as they transfer and relate to the specific HR job.

What Exactly Does “Entry-Level” Mean in a Job?

An entry-level job is often designed or allocated for new graduates of a specific discipline and does not require any prior experience in the field or profession. These roles may necessitate some on-site training. Many entry-level positions, however, are part-time and do not offer employee benefits.

14 Entry-Level Human Resources Job Titles and Salaries

Human resource roles can also be referred to as ‘People’ jobs, which have several titles and responsibilities. Lately, You’ll find that some companies are even adopting titles such as ‘People Partner’ rather than ‘Human Resources Partner’.

The following is a list of common entry-level Human Resources jobs, along with a brief job description and average US salaries:

#1. Human Resource Assistant

An HR assistant provides support for the company’s human resources specialist. As a beginner back in the day, this was the first position I held in the HR industry. So, believe me when I say that when it comes to HR entry-level jobs, HR assistant is an excellent place to start your career. As an entry-level HR assistant, I was able to learn a lot about:

Recruitment
Records
Training and benefits
Maintaining personnel files
Issuing job announcements
Communicating with applicants
Assisting new employees in signing up for benefits
Helping current employees in making adjustments to their plans.

HR Assistant’s salary

Depending on education, certifications, extra skills, and years of work experience, the salary usually ranges from $40,393 to $50,268 annually,

#2. HR Intern

Human Resource interns are usually fixed-term positions that assist an HR department with basic HR administrative responsibilities such as screening HR calls, data entry, interview scheduling, file maintenance, and employee onboarding, among others. I, personally never tried this route, however, a lot of my colleagues have testified of the opportunity it provides for growth in knowledge and experience and easy access into the human resources field.

HR intern’s salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly salary for HR interns is $17.

#3. HR Coordinator

The human resources coordinator is one of the most important entry-level HR jobs. This person reports directly to the human resources director. They are rarely in charge of supervision. They have a wide range of vital responsibilities, involving interacting with both new hires and current employees.

An HR coordinator often assists in the formulation and coordination of tasks involving recruiting, hiring, labor negotiations, payment, and employee relations. They also help strengthen personnel policies and practices. They then recommend changes to their supervisor and company administration.

HR Coordinator’s Salary

The average income for a human resources coordinator in the United States is $53,664 annually as of June 27, 2024, with a salary range of $48,530 to $59,786.

#4. Recruiter

A human resources recruiter position may be an excellent choice for people looking for more specialized entry-level HR roles. This role manages the company’s recruitment needs. They look for the most qualified candidates for open vacant positions. They reach out to potential applicants through their extensive network of industry, trade group, college, and social media connections. Using social media connections for entry-level HR positions is a smart strategy. Recruiters are also likely to design an organization’s recruitment plans and outline the activities necessary to carry them out.

Recruitment Coordinator Salary

Salary.com reports that the average income for a human resources coordinator in the United States is $53,664.

#5. HR Associate

An HR Associate may be responsible for tasks such as maintaining personnel records, assisting with the new hire and onboarding process, recording employee hours, and assisting with the maintenance of HR training materials.

HR Associate Salary

The average annual pay is $55,949 (pay.com).

#6. HR Generalist

As the word implies, a human resources generalist is involved in all facets of an HR department’s day-to-day operations. A senior colleague of mine once worked as an HR generalist in a moderately large organization a few years back. He said, “The one thing worth mentioning about being an HR generalist is that you will develop a wide range of skills.” An HR generalist can expect to assist with implementing policies and procedures, as well as program development. They will most likely be involved in training, benefits, compensation, employee relations, and recruitment to some level.

HR Generalist Salary

According to Payscale, the average pay in the United States ranges from $59,547 to $70,098.

#7. Talent Acquisition Coordinator

A Talent Acquisition Coordinator is in charge of facilitating and organizing the entire recruitment process, which includes sourcing applicants, scheduling interviews, and supporting talent acquisition efforts within a company. This can be a very interesting but sometimes stressful responsibility.

Talent Acquisition Coordinator salary

The average income for this position is from $60,000 to $73,000.

#8. HR Specialist

When it comes to HR entry-level jobs, human resources assistants have a lot of responsibility. They perform a wide range of tasks linked to the recruitment and hiring processes.

An HR specialist will also often review applicants and review documentation. They coordinate interviews and negotiate contracts once workers are hired. Human resources specialists may also be expected to manage employee relations, conduct training, and aid with compensation and benefits.

HR Support Specialist Salary

According to Glassdoor, the average pay is $49,692.

#9. Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator

DEI Coordinators advocate for initiatives that build and cultivate a culture of community, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, as well as means for employees to report potential issues or violations. From what I’ve observed, they are usually the best friends of the employees, usually owning to the nature of their role.

Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator’s Salary

Glassdoor reports an average pay of $57,577.

#10. Benefits Administrator

A Benefits Administrator oversees and administers employee benefits programs such as health insurance, retirement pensions, and other incentives, ensuring that employees get and understand their benefits packages.

Benefits Administrator Salary

According to Payscale, the typical yearly compensation for this role in the United States is $50,756.

#11. HR Compliance Analyst

Those with a good eye for detail and structure may choose to seek a career as an HR compliance analyst. Compliance analysts, sometimes known as managers, are in charge of verifying that an organization’s policies, operations, and procedures comply with governmental standards. They must become completely familiar with these regulations and then disseminate that knowledge to important individuals in their organization. In addition, they will apply for compliance certification for their organization.

HR Compliance Coordinator’s Salary

The average pay is $63,606 (salary.com).

#12. Compensation Analyst

A Compensation Analyst may perform salary market research, consult with management on merit increases, promotions, bonuses, and pay equity, determine FLSA status (exempt or non-exempt), and undertake compensation compliance audits as needed.

Compensation Analyst Salary

Glassdoor reports an average salary of $81,396.

#13. Employee Engagement Coordinator

These individuals contribute to the development and execution of engagement initiatives and programs in a variety of fields, including career development.

Employee Engagement Coordinator’s Salary

The average pay is $58,177 (Salary.com).

#14. HRIS Analyst

HRIS Analysts may assist with the entry and management of HR data such as payroll, compensation, employment level, title, and personal confidential information such as social security number, age, and so on. They may also create and run reports while ensuring data integrity.

HRIS Analyst Salary

Glassdoor reports an average salary of $82,897.

How to Get Into HR

What Are the Paths to Obtaining an Entry-Level Job in Human Resources?

There are a lot of paths to attain entry-level HR positions. HR requirements and qualifications differ depending on the company, organization, geographic area, and function. While there is no “right” or “wrong” way to officially start a career in human resources, there are three popular and traditional paths.

Specifically:

HR Career Path 1: Traditional Approach

The first career path is more typical, with the individual obtaining a college degree in human resources, either a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or a 2-year Associate’s degree, and then looking for work following graduation. Some other schools and organizations offer HR certifications, which are typically condensed academic programs lasting less than two years. I recommend platforms like Coursera and Udemy to get started on those certifications.

Individuals with a related degree, such as business or industrial/organizational psychology, can also work in human resources. With these academic credentials, a person can start a career in human resources in a more junior or entry-level position, usually as an HR administrative or recruitment coordinator.

HR career route 2: Switching from a Different Role

A second option to start a career in human resources is to transfer from a separate but related job, function, or department, whether internal or external to the company. Individuals who have an interest in human resources may seek a junior-level position where they can apply their relevant transferable skills and expertise.

For example, an employee who works as an administrative coordinator outside of HR performs various job functions that can be transferred to HR, such as entering time for other employees, confirming payroll, scheduling training, and so on. That individual can try to transfer to an HR role within their organization or seek an HR position outside.

HR career path 3: Role Expansion

A third path into HR is through role expansion. When an employee’s responsibilities grow to include standard HR duties, such as office administrator, personal assistant, or even finance or payroll administrative roles, they gain HR experience that can be applied to other HR roles. These jobs might serve as ‘feeder pools’ for candidates seeking other HR positions.

Job responsibilities in feeder pools often include administration, operations, and even finance roles, as finance is often linked to HR compensation principles. Individuals with social science or communications qualifications, such as teachers, social workers, and psychologists, also have relevant skills and experience that can be applied to HR roles.

HR has a compliance component, which includes reducing a company’s legal risks related to discrimination, harassment, wage and hour laws, and so on. Individuals with experience in risk, legal management, and compliance are also candidates for HR positions.

How to Get an HR Job

Qualifications and Skills Required

When looking for an entry-level HR job, the skills and requirements will differ depending on the company, organization, area, and business demands.

A key aspect of gaining a junior-level HR position is being able to communicate, whether on a CV or to a hiring manager, how your background, skills, and experience are transferable and relevant to the HR post of interest. An HR or related degree is one relevant factor, but transferable skills gained at previous work are also critical.

For example, if a candidate has customer service experience in a call center, they are likely to have skills in time management, conflict resolution, transaction documentation, computer and system experience, and overall customer service, all of which are important and transferable to an HR role.

Keep in mind that job advertising often specifies “preferred” requirements rather than “required” qualifications. If the job posting specifies “preferred” qualifications, the skills are not always a “hard and fast” requirement. This allows candidates to identify and highlight important skills and how they may contribute to the post.

A candidate’s ability to effectively convey transferable skills can ultimately determine whether or not they receive an interview or a job.

How to Get a Job in Human Resources Without Any Experience

Getting an HR job without prior work experience, a degree, or HR certification is sometimes a “catch-22”. Companies post an entry-level position but then want years of experience! This is a major frustration for candidates. What if I tell you that there are career opportunities in human resources that do not require HR experience or certification? To get them, you’ll need to:

1. Describe your transferable skills.

As I previously mentioned, the key to most job searches, including HR job searches, is for candidates to be able to communicate to a hiring manager how their unique background and experience contain transferable skills and how they can contribute to the role.

For example, if you recently graduated with an HR degree but have no work experience other than part-time retail, you can provide examples of how you resolved customer issues, trained new employees, provided informal performance feedback, managed special projects, and so on – all of which are transferable skills that can be applied to an HR role.

2. Consider internships or part-time/temporary contracts.

If you are thinking about working in human resources, you can look at part-time, temporary, contract, or internship opportunities. These opportunities are terrific ways to gain HR experience and allow you to observe what the world of HR is like. If you are interested in a specific HR field (compensation, benefits, recruiting, employee relations, etc.), you may want to consider a full-time position. Also, contract or temporary work can lead to a full-time job offer, so don’t rule out short-term HR opportunities.

Even if you have no work experience or formal education, you can work in human resources. Transferable skills include a passion for human resources, business acumen, a love of data, and experience planning events at a religious organization or your children’s school. Networking with others can be especially useful in these situations.

Conclusion

If you are asking yourself, “Are there any entry-level HR jobs near me?” Remember that the types of entry-level jobs available in a human resources department vary depending on location, size, and organizational structure. Whatever path a human resources professional chooses, the possibilities for obtaining experience and expertise in entry-level human resources roles provide a great basis for future success in this industry.

The best entry-level HR jobs cover a diverse range of human resource specializations and interests. New graduates or those interested in entering the industry can find work in almost any type of organization or business, as all companies require employees to handle personnel and hiring issues. Once in the door, there are numerous opportunities to gain experience and grow in the profession. In addition to work experience, acquiring further certifications or pursuing advanced education in human resources can lead to higher-responsibility jobs and increased income after securing entry-level human resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Beginners Get into HR?

If you don’t have any experience in the HR industry, you should think about volunteering, taking on entry-level positions, or doing internships to obtain real-world experience. To lay the groundwork for your career, invest in HR-related certifications, go to workshops, and connect with people in the HR community.

What Is the Lowest Paying HR Job?

Staffing coordinators earn a national average of $47,207 per year.

Staffing specialists earn a national average of $17.52 per hour.

HR assistants earn a national average of $18.60 per hour.

Is Human Resources a Hard Career to Get Into?

One common misperception about working in HR is that it is easy. Having people skills is the bare minimum. People believe, ‘Oh I just have to go to school, get the degree or study this, study that and then I can get into the field, and do the work, easy-peasy’ It actually isn’t that easy. You must have a strong backbone, empathy and you have to not just hear what people are saying, but truly listen and figure out solutions.

Is 50K a Good Starting Salary?

If you’re just entering the job market after graduating from college, $50,000 can be a reasonable starting income, especially if you’ve decided to live at home for a while.

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job with No Experience?

As more people complete their college degrees, the employment market becomes increasingly competitive. Furthermore, businesses demand unreasonable professional expertise for entry-level positions, making it difficult for young graduates to compete in the job market.

Blog

14 Entry-Level Human Resources Jobs: All You Need to Know