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Job outlook for human resources consultants in the United States
Human resources consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected human resources consultant job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 12,600 new jobs for human resources consultants are projected over the next decade.
Human resources consultant salaries have increased 13% for human resources consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 129,717 human resources consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 52,761 active human resources consultant job openings in the US.
The average human resources consultant salary is $71,882.
Are human resources consultant jobs in demand?
Human resources consultant job and salary trends over time
Human resources consultant jobs over time
Human resources consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129,717 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 121,688 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 120,074 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 111,681 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 106,037 | 0.03% |
Average human resources consultant salary over time
Human resources consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $71,882 | $34.56 | +3.9% |
| 2025 | $69,214 | $33.28 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $67,186 | $32.30 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $65,300 | $31.39 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $63,397 | $30.48 | +2.4% |
Human resources consultant jobs by state
Most common states for human resources consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 259 | 37% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 218 | 25% |
| 3 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,438 | 22% |
| 4 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 732 | 15% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 586 | 15% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 87 | 14% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 874 | 13% |
| 8 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 383 | 13% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 166 | 12% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 123 | 12% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 120 | 12% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 613 | 11% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 451 | 11% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 835 | 10% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 706 | 10% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 111 | 10% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 71 | 10% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,164 | 9% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 279 | 9% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 255 | 9% |
Most common cities for human resources consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owings Mills | 2 | 7% | $75,226 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $75,340 |
| 3 | Lansing | 2 | 2% | $72,645 |
| 4 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $68,937 |
| 5 | Altamonte Springs | 1 | 2% | $62,958 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $75,749 |
| 7 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $82,726 |
| 8 | Arlington | 3 | 1% | $77,727 |
| 9 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $60,944 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $61,833 |
| 11 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $74,975 |
| 12 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $86,344 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $75,375 |
| 14 | Anaheim | 1 | 0% | $73,294 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $74,068 |
| 16 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $73,654 |
Human Resources Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of human resources consultant experts
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Portland State University
The University of Tennessee - Martin
Saint John Fisher College
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
University of Rhode Island
San Jose State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of the West
University of Arizona
University of Scranton
Coastal Carolina University
Wes Love
Organizational Improvement & Transformation SpecialistCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Wes Love: Bottom line, up front: Don’t chase a paycheck. You deserve more. Be intentional and selective about where you choose to work. The average person spends a third of their life (half of their conscious existence) at work. You deserve to work for a place that adds more to your life than just a paycheck. Money is important, no doubt. However, when you are considering employers, look for organizations and leaders who want to enable your growth both personally and professionally. That is not something you earn; that is something you are owed. Deciding where to work should be like deciding whether to date or marry someone. Your relationship with your employer will have very few differences from any other significant relationship in your life. The content may (hopefully) look very different, but context-wise, it will be very similar: shared values, aligned goals, good communication, reciprocal appreciation, a desire to see each other succeed, and trust.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: HRM professionals play a strategic role in aligning HR practices with organizational goals, ensuring a positive and productive work environment, and fostering a culture of employee engagement.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: Entering the Human Resource Management (HRM) field can be an excellent career choice for several compelling reasons, especially in today's dynamic and evolving workplace. Glassdoor.com ranks HR management as one of the nation’s top five career opportunities based on average starting salary, job satisfaction, and employer demand.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: Individuals like many things about being an HRM professional, such as having diverse responsibilities, good pay, opportunities to build relationships, and feeling like they are making a positive impact. Some challenges include handling difficult employment situations and conversations, administrative burdens, navigating organizational politics and multiple stakeholders, and dealing with employee grievances and terminations.
Dr. Sean Walker
Professor of Behavioral ManagementThe University of Tennessee - Martin
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sean Walker: Find skills that make you more marketable and invest in yourself through formal education or advanced certifications. Possessing additional knowledge and skills will make you a more attractive candidate.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Ron Sicker: The skills that will be important in the next 3-5 years will not vary widely from those now. Good communication skills both oral and written, critical thinking or problem-solving skills, and collaboration skills are all essential now and will all continue to be in the future.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Jill Bradley-Geist PhD: Stay connected with your university network of faculty and fellow students through online tools like LinkedIn as well as in-person events like alumni networking socials, career fairs, and local Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) meetings. Not only does networking help with job search, your network can provide mentoring opportunities and answers and support to questions you encounter in your work. If you are still a student, you can get a great discounted rate on a SHRM membership which allows you access to articles, data, templates, and newsletter updates with important HR information in specific areas related to your particular function/area within HR, such as compensation and benefits, workplace safety, or employee relations. Your employer might also pay for your SHRM membership.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jill Bradley-Geist PhD: HR data analytics is increasingly important and of interest to employers; at a broad-level, HR analytics uses data to inform organizational decision-making, so research skills and logical thinking/ability are important. Understanding of, and ability to utilize, AI effectively is another key area for the foreseeable future. Artificial intelligence in HR already has applications and is continuing to influence and change the practice of HR, from talent acquisition to compensation and rewards decisions, to analysis of employee surveys of workplace culture and individual satisfaction, engagement, and well-being. Communication skills, interpersonal and cultural skills, and the ability to adapt also will remain important, if not increasingly so.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Dr. Heather Yates CPC: This isn’t your last job. Look for a good match with your personality and the company culture. It is about culture, not money. Look for a mentor. Watch the leaders you work for as they can be great examples or terrible warnings, both are valuable.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Heather Yates CPC: Your soft skills that you display in an interview and hiring process are essential to maximizing your salary. This could include communication, how you sell yourself and salary negotiations.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr Gary Kayakachoian: A graduate will have the opportunity to explore new countries and cultures. Take advantage of such opportunities!
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr Gary Kayakachoian: Skills in accounting, Human Resources management, imports and exports, and supply chain management will all be very useful over the next 3-5 years.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Dr. Erin Woodhead PhD: My advice is to think broadly about how a psychology degree applies to many different types of fields. Employers are increasingly considering the impact of 'soft skills' which means that a potential employee is aware of how groups interact, how to effectively engage coworkers interpersonally, and other skills and knowledge that are typically included as part of a psychology degree. These skills can be valuable in settings such as tech and human resources.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Erin Liggett: The responses were provided by Erin Liggett, Assistant Director of Career Services & Student Employment at The University of Akron.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Dr. Eric Landis: Vet the company that you are interviewing with as hard as they are vetting you to see if you fit with their culture and values. Check into the company morale and culture to see if it is a healthy work environment.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Eric Landis: Research the average salary for the position that you are interviewing for. Know how much money that you need to be paid in order to cover your living expenses and share that information with the person interviewing you. Do not negotiate salary during your interview rather negotiate salary after they have given you an offer.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Eric Landis: Critical thinking skills and interpersonal communication skills. Continue to educate yourself in technology.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aaron Richmond Ph.D.: I think there are several ways students can do this when entering the market place. First, get experience during their undergraduate education. Whether this is through an internship, working as an undergraduate research assistant or teaching assistant, working as a work study at the college/university, volunteering, or a part-time job. Experience is the cornerstone of leverage. Second, understand and leverage the SPS skills and knowledge that students have gained in their education. For example, create a portfolio that demonstrates how they have manage teams, or lead groups, or collaborated with others, or have managed information, etc. Third, try to job shadow. Some colleges and universities have great programs set up to allow students to witness different jobs/professions and learn the needed skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in these fields. Once students have done this, they can begin to really hone the necessary experiences and skills to maximize their salary.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Aaron Richmond Ph.D.: I would give the advice early. Meaning, in their second/sophomore year, I start discuss career plans. Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies applies to 100s if not 1000s of different careers that do not require a graduate degree. They could be specific jobs like a Child Life Specialist, or more general jobs like human resources. The key is understanding the skills and knowledge that students learn while pursuing their undergraduate degree and how to leverage these skills to apply for positions. I advise and teach my students to be problem-solvers. To be able to adapt to situations and think out of the box.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Dr. Ale Kennedy: As long as there are humans working, Human Resources is needed. This is a great time to enter the Human Resources field because Human Resources is the nucleus to many initiatives- the people. There are also so many different areas of Human Resources, which require different skill sets… ranging form project management, strategic planning, talent acquisition, compensation, records, customer service , training, to conflict management.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Ale Kennedy: The majority of time is spent listening to customers and providing service, whether it is hiring, classification, training, and/or a difficult employee. Human Resources is relied on heavily to provide guidance during difficult situations and through processes.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ale Kennedy: Customers enjoy the service and expertise they receive from Human Resources; however, at times many may be frustrated because Human Resources provides guidance on policies, which at times is not what some want to hear.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shannon Ahrndt: As we are using technology more and more, it's important to be proficient in online communication platforms such as MS Teams, Zoom, Slack, etc. Knowing the etiquette of communicating virtually and digitally is important -- such as having clear, efficient (concise!), and organized written communication. Being responsive is also an underrated trait – for example, getting back to people within 24 hours or less if possible always leaves a good impression. Following through with what you say you are going to do and taking initiative are also skills that employers appreciate.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Shannon Ahrndt: The more experience you can get in your field before graduating, such as through internships, volunteering, and involvement in student organizations or professional organizations might give you a boost when it comes to negotiating your first salary. Getting involved in all of these ways can also help you get to know people in your industry, which could make it easier to get a better-paying job or get multiple offers.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Research the company well for your first job as it will impact the way you feel about full-time employment.
-Your first job won't be your last job. Use it to learn about yourself and an environment you can thrive in
-Don't be afraid to move for a job opportunity or a second one for the first few years. Because if you want a spouse/partner, children, pets and a home it will be harder to explore the world with all those responsibilities.
-If you want to work 100% remotely that can be good/flexible for a young professional, but you make yourself vulnerable to layoffs and disconnection. Having face time with management and coworkers builds an important rapport. Hybrid is better than remote
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Understanding finance and how it impacts the operations of where you work, can help you have great insight into new opportunities or see the writing on the wall in tough times.
-Don't be afraid to learn new technologies, especially ones that collect data. Enhance your tech-based skills as that will increase your value to the organization where you work and the business community at large.
-Learn Spanish. While globalization may have you think about learning an Asian language, the Spanish speaking market is the faster growing in the US and has been since 2010.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Under promise and over deliver.
-Know your value, self-assess your skills, your knowledge and your role. Understand when and when not a company can give increases.
-Build an internal support system. Make sure you have people who will go to bat for you when you want to move up internally.
-After succeeding don't be afraid to ask for an increase.
-And remember, stay humble. The minute you think you know everything; you haven't learned anything.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Edward Ferguson: The skill sets I feel that would be most needed to and prevalent in the next 5 years will be:
Hands on experiences with animals of all species.
Knowing animal behavior and body language
Computer skills for many aspects of the business world but also how to collect, review, and learn from data taken about productivity, breeding, sales, etc.
Being adaptable/open minded. Don't be afraid to try new things and think outside the box
Know common life skills/problem solving
Internships throughout their years of higher education, nothing is better than experience.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Edward Ferguson: I would recommend to a student beginning their career to not focus primarily on income as a determinant for employment. I know this can be difficult in their mind, but beginning your career you will be much more adaptable and versatile in terms of where they may need to move to and flexibility in working hours. In the beginning, I would recommend take the employment offer that provides you with the best experiences and skill accumulation. I would not look for the most pleasant job, closest to home. This is a time in your life where you can be flexible and the single most important thing you can do in the beginning is gain as valuable work experience as possible. Very few people graduate from college with all the hands-on skills needed to excel at work immediately. But, if a young professional is willing to travel where the best experiences are, and can gain and master many of the skills necessary to succeed and advance in their career path they are more likely to be able to pick and chose where and when they work later on in life when those things become even more important (when they have a family and other depending on them for time and attention).
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Edward Ferguson: I think the most important thing a young professional can do is to expand their skill set - this means volunteering for jobs and opportunities others may not want. When a young professional expands their abilities and shows initiative in the process supervisors will notice this and begin to form a subconscious opinion of the persona as a hard-working, dedicated professional that is motivated to being the best they can be. This will directly lead to being assigned more duties and responsibilities which will ultimately come with increased salary and better opportunities for professional growth. Also, another important component to being promoted and increasing your salary potential in the work place is being able to demonstrate consistently good "people skills" learning how to listen to others, take constructive criticism, and being able to demonstrate conflict resolution will go a very long ways to improving your chances of moving "up" at a company and thereby increasing your salary. I think if someone looks at the situation as how much money do I want to earn, what kind of person earns that level of income and then what can I do to make myself one of those people - that individual will be way more likely to achieve their end goal.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Sara Moore MBA: In the next 3-5 years, employers will gravitate towards candidates with three vital skills: communication, problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork. Communication skills are essential as professionals navigate complex interactions with diverse stakeholders, effectively express ideas, and cultivate meaningful connections. Additionally, problem-solving and critical thinking abilities will be in high demand as the field faces new challenges and explores innovative solutions. As the landscape of human development continues to evolve, collaborative teamwork will grow in importance, reflecting the trend towards interdisciplinary and diverse approaches. Professionals who excel in these three skills will be well-equipped to manage emerging issues, propel positive change, and make meaningful contributions to society.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Prof. Jane Halonen: I just chaired a committee for the American Psychological Association on what skills a psychology student should be able to do upon graduation. Those skills involve 1) knowing and applying psychological content; 2) scientific inquiry and critical thinking; 3) communication and psychological literacy; 4 values in psychology (appreciating empirical evidence; supporting the promotion of working with diverse people); and 5) professional development. Encouraging students to check out the document and think about how their classes have been preparing their skills would be a good idea. That document can be found at https://apps.apa.org/CommentCentral2/attachments/Site97-Undergrad%20Guidelines.pdf. Psychology students should be highly effective in evaluating claims about behavior, which is going to be valuable in any field they enter. Teamwork is another element that employers look for. Skilled technology use to clarify communication and manage data will also be increasingly important.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Jane Halonen: Psychology may be the most versatile undergraduate major you can have but the trick is knowing how to find jobs that focus on the skills that psychology majors have. So don't be shy about finding a mentor (a faculty member, someone in the career center, or a professional in the field) who can give you some pointers about what the life is like and whether your skills and attributes fit with the job you have in mind. To those ends, when I teach the capstone class in psychology, I find out what career the student hopes to pursue and I match them with someone who is successful doing that career for an hour-long conversation in which the student describes why they are ready to graduate and why they would be a good match to the profession. Students tell me it is a great opportunity to practice their job seeking skills and in some cases they have been offered jobs as a result of how well they presented what they can do.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Prof. Jane Halonen: This is a tough question because most students who go into psychology-related positions in human services are not going to be able to do much about negotiating a bigger salary. Often budgets in nonprofits are not very flexible. However, where students can hope to apply their psychology skills in business settings (e.g. human resources), salaries are going to be higher and there may be more leeway to leverage up salary. If you do attempt to renegotiate an offer, do so on the basis of having a clear and compelling success at the interview. Prepare for the interview by doing your homework on the nature of the company. Regardless of what you know already, be sure to ask intelligent questions of those who interview you. Dress to match how employees look in the work setting or a notch above. And whatever you do, don't take your parents along. Apparently, this is a growing trend for GenZ students and it doesn't play well. But another important note to keep in mind, entry level salaries are entry level salaries. Do great work and the overlords are likely to notice. In summary, psychology majors do an amazing range of professional activities with a psychology degree. The vast majority of majors enter the workforce rather than going on to graduate school; however, the skills students learn position them well to make great contributions in all kinds of workplace settings.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Timothy Ottusch Ph.D.: For folks graduating with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, first I would recommend just figuring out what they want to do. A degree in human development is broad, which is beneficial but also can be stressful with the amount of options. If they want to work right away, applying even before graduation is helpful, as they might be able to have a job lined up that by the time they officially graduate they have the ball rolling in a hiring process, so the delay in work is not too bad. Overall, it is finding a job in the area they think they would like, get their foot in the door, and see where it goes. Sometimes you see then if you like it, and if you like it, what training (MSW, counseling, etc.) might you need to keep moving up the latter.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Ottusch Ph.D.: I think the skills needed now and similar to what will be important soon. So much of it comes down to a foundational mix of accurate understanding of human development (as opposed to misunderstandings through myths, etc.), good critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Timothy Ottusch Ph.D.: This one I'll less confident in asking, aside from advocating for yourself in the interview process for pay
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Paul Datti PhD, CRC, HS-BCP: Graduates of The University of Scranton’s Counseling and Human Services program, as well as other similar educational programs, tend to have significant success upon graduation. At Scranton, typically about half to two-thirds of our graduates go on to graduate school, mainly in professional counseling or social work, but some also go on to programs in public administration, applied behavior analysis, child life care, and even law school. The remainder tend to soon get jobs in the field, in positions such as behavioral health technician, community health assistant, rehabilitation aide, child advocate, psychiatric or mental health technician, social work assistant, and more. According to OnetOnline and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this area are expected to exponentially grow over the years and are considered “bright outlook” occupations.
What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Consultant?
Leann Mischel PhD: First, NEGOTIATE. Many people think that the first offer is final. It rarely is. Do not be afraid to negotiate. The worst thing to happen is that the company will tell you they have made you their best offer. Also, do not be afraid to add things into the negotiation that are meaningful to you. There are many things that are negotiable that will not be offered in the first round. Think about adding things like moving expenses, housing, travel expenses to find housing, stock options, early vesting, signing bonuses, etc. Second, once in the job, always act and dress for the job you want rather than the job you have. Find a mentor in the workplace and figure out what has made them successful. Third, learn about the entire company, not just your role. This will allow you to understand how all the parts of the company work together and will increase your promotion opportunities. Fourth, NEGOTIATE (again). Even when you are moving up in the company, you still have opportunities to negotiate. The first offer is often not the last and it never hurts to ask for more.
What Human Resources Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leann Mischel PhD: Network, Network, Network. Don't just add people to LinkedIn, be sure to stay in touch with them. Send them updates once in a while, ask how they are doing, recognize their successes, try to get together occasionally, in general, find a way to stay on their radar without going overboard. Even the people you think can't help you might be your biggest supporter and ally in the future. Always make good impressions.
What will help Human Resources Consultants increase their earning potential?
Leann Mischel PhD: The soft skills will always be important. Communication, teamwork, and leadership skills should always be honed. In addition to those, it is important to keep up with technology and AI. It is no surprise that both of these are changing at lightning speed. Graduates need to keep in mind that these will make their jobs easier, not take their jobs from them. Utilize them to increase the quality and quantity of your performance and increase your efficiency.