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Business OperationsTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Human Resources Specialist

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Annual openings

2,093

Median wage

$80,840

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+9%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

No certification is required for this job. However, some employers value HR certifications from organizations such as the Society of Human Resource Management.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required. However, work experience as a Recruiter or Human Resources Assistant is valued by employers. Previous experience developing the listed knowledge and abilities, if possible in a Business Operations environment, is preferred.

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) (www.shrm.org) has additional information on HR jobs, competencies, and career development activities.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Business Support
  • Human Resources

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
  2. Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
  3. Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  4. Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
  5. Review employment applications and job orders to match applicants with job requirements.
  6. Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
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