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Job outlook for personnel assistants in the United States
Personnel assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected personnel assistant job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About -5,200 new jobs for personnel assistants are projected over the next decade.
Personnel assistant salaries have increased 11% for personnel assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 59,285 personnel assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 6,684 active personnel assistant job openings in the US.
The average personnel assistant salary is $38,830.
Are personnel assistant jobs in demand?
Personnel assistant job and salary trends over time
Personnel assistant jobs over time
Personnel assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59,285 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 61,691 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 66,265 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 69,800 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 74,778 | 0.02% |
Average personnel assistant salary over time
Personnel assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,830 | $18.67 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $37,196 | $17.88 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $36,262 | $17.43 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $35,445 | $17.04 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $35,032 | $16.84 | +2.4% |
Personnel assistant jobs by state
Most common states for personnel assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 103 | 15% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 29 | 5% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 29 | 4% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 49 | 3% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 30 | 3% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 30 | 3% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 17 | 3% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 205 | 2% |
| 9 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 120 | 2% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 118 | 2% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 113 | 2% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 112 | 2% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 111 | 2% |
| 14 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 77 | 2% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 71 | 2% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 60 | 2% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 54 | 2% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 33 | 2% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 32 | 2% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 18 | 2% |
Most common cities for personnel assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lemoore | 2 | 8% | $45,090 |
| 2 | Fairfax | 1 | 4% | $40,334 |
| 3 | Monterey | 1 | 4% | $45,376 |
| 4 | Albany | 2 | 3% | $35,506 |
| 5 | Fort Hood | 1 | 3% | $36,543 |
| 6 | Orland Park | 1 | 2% | $39,449 |
| 7 | Everett | 1 | 1% | $41,955 |
| 8 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $45,816 |
| 9 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $39,452 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $39,556 |
| 11 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $43,016 |
| 12 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $33,888 |
Personnel Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of personnel assistant experts
Lamar University
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Indiana University Southeast
Florida International University
Washington State University- Vancouver
University of Pittsburgh
NSU Florida
Western Carolina University
DePaul University
SHRM
HRCI
Bowling Green State University
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Dr. Raymond Doe PhD
Associate ProfessorLamar University
Psychology
What Personnel Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Raymond Doe PhD: These transferable or readiness skills keep making the list: Problem solving, Collaboration, Creativity, and Professionalism. A Psychology degree aims to accomplish these in your personal and professional life.
Dr. Cassandra Chaney Ph.D.
J. Franklin Bayhi Endowed ProfessorLouisiana State University and A&M College
Social Work
What will help Personnel Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Cassandra Chaney Ph.D.: I have 10 pieces of advice for new graduates who are starting their careers. First, new graduates should remember that professionalism isn't just based on having a degree, but rather what they consistently do. Second, new graduates must recognize that they are being watched by their supervisor and coworkers even if they do not think they are being watched by these individuals. This means that they must always be aware of what they say and how they behave in the professional setting. Third, new graduates should be confident in what they know. They are degree holders who have attained content knowledge in a particular field. Cockiness is off-putting while confidence influences supervisors to see them as responsible, mature, and trustworthy. Fourth, new graduates must remember that it is perfectly okay to start at an entry level position and work their way up. A "work my way up" attitude shows maturity, patience, and humility, traits that are lacking among many young people. Fifth, new graduates should get in the habit of being someone that their supervisor and coworkers can always depend on. This is important because this increases their value to the organization. Sixth, new graduates must recognize the importance of dressing for success. If a new graduate looks successful, they will unconsciously emit a "successful" attitude. Seventh, new graduates should be appreciative and grateful for the opportunities that they receive. New graduates that express this gratitude verbally and in writing will set themselves apart from other workers. Eighth, new graduates should appreciate the various forms of diversity in today's workplaces and to get along well with everyone, which of course, includes people who are different from them. Ninth, new graduates must recognize that time is not finite. Everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day, so time management is one of the keys to success. Finally, new graduate graduates must always treat everyone that they meet with respect, dignity, and honor.
Dr. Gregory Kordsmeier
Director, Institute for Learning and TeachingIndiana University Southeast
Sociology
What Personnel Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Gregory Kordsmeier: Many employers are looking for the skills that sociology majors have developed over the course of their major, but many of these employers will not phrase it as looking for a sociology major. Skills like working in teams, data analysis and communication, written and oral visualization, and an ability to work with diverse populations are all prized by employers and common among sociology majors. Your job as a recent graduate is helping translate the work that you did and the skills you developed in college into terms that prospective employers can understand.
Chris Altizer
Adjunct LecturerFlorida International University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What will help Personnel Assistants increase their earning potential?
Chris Altizer:
For the most part, similar jobs with similar requirements in similar industry pay similarly. That said, the quality of your work or intership experiences will matter as may your academic performance. First - know you're worth as a product. Do the homework on starting salaries and pay attention to geographic drivers of difference. Second - be prepared to negotiate. Research shows that the gender pay gap begins at the beginning and a huge driver of that is preparedness to negotiate. Apparently, men are more willing to negotiate than women (which is not at all to say they are any better at it - just that they will try it). So, negotiate! And not just for the money - think about all that matters to you and how you can add the value they are looking for while getting what you need.
Adriana Thomas
Advisor, Internship Coordinator, InstructorWashington State University- Vancouver
Department of Human Development
What skills stand out on Personnel Assistant resumes?
Adriana Thomas: Organization. Students are often interested in administrative work, supporting a company and employees (the company may be working with clients, so the HR department is supporting them in that work), policies.
What soft skills should all Personnel Assistants possess?
Adriana Thomas: People skills. Communication, collaboration.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Personnel Assistants?
Adriana Thomas: Keeping track of details, attention to detail.
What skills will help Personnel Assistants earn the most?
Adriana Thomas: Leadership skills. Drive, ambition, and commitment to a company. Students may start in an entry-level position and then are often promoted over time.
What will help Personnel Assistants increase their earning potential?
Nisha Nair Ph.D.: Highlighting competencies for managing under uncertainty, effective collaboration, being a self-starter and an ability to multitask are likely to weigh in one's favor for effective salary negotiations.
What's a good job out of college for Personnel Assistants?
Dr. Hal Strough Ph.D.: There are lots of people that need help whether it be physical maladies, behavioral health issues, or other. Any job that will help meet those needs will be valued.
What soft skills should all Personnel Assistants possess?
Sarah Minnis Ph.D.: As I engage in career coaching with diverse populations and teach HR students, these are the primary skills I encourage them to demonstrate on their resume through their prior work experience. Field and industry specific knowledge is, of course, necessary, but the soft skills are most vital for their career success.
Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written).
Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities.
Interpersonal Abilities.
Leadership/Management Skills.
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness.
Planning/Organizing.
Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity.
Teamwork.
Adaptability/Flexibility.
Self-Motivated/Ability to Work with Little or No Supervision.
What Personnel Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Martha Martinez- Firestone Ph.D.: I think a gap year is great to transform passions into expertise. Cultivate knowledge and networks in areas where you would eventually like to get a job. Research the industry that interests you, attend industry events, make zoom connections, and get the skills that people are talking about. If possible, volunteer in those industries to enhance your knowledge, contacts, and resume.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Personnel Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Regan Gross: There has been, and will continue to be, a shift in the way we do work. Employers are realizing that they can minimize overhead and leverage technology by adopting remote workforces. There will still be some employers who are resistant to this change and will continue to do things the traditional way. E-commerce jobs, such as those in online retail, will continue to increase, while jobs that require in-person social interaction, such as in the restaurant industry, will continue to evolve into contactless alternatives, reducing the number of positions available for employment. While hospitality and restaurants have been among the hardest hit, for many, still being able to dine-out and stay away from home, is important to their mental health.
Job interviews will continue to be virtual as much as feasible. Job seekers will be well advised to brush up on their on-camera interviewing skills, including dressing appropriately as with in-person job interviews, avoiding any background noise and being cognizant of the appearance of their on-camera surroundings/background. Practice virtual interviews with friends and family if possible.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Personnel Assistants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Amy Dufrane: Attractive locations for graduates to work are larger cities with manufacturing and service-driven economies using shared resources and supply chains with technological and virtual service delivery. However, as more companies have relaxed their remote work policies, where someone lives is becoming less and less important. What is becoming more important to graduates are the certifications and learning experiences that will differentiate them from others seeking employment.
Tonya Camden
Adjunct InstructorBowling Green State University
Department of Human Services
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Personnel Assistants to find work opportunities?
Tonya Camden: For graduates in this field, the opportunities are endless anywhere in the United States, they choose to live and work.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Personnel Assistants, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.: Before the pandemic, starting salary prospects were quite positive in human resource management. I expect to see salaries down a bit. Generally, companies have a slight edge now in salary negotiations, as there is more available talent than may have been the case before the pandemic. However, there have not been as significant of job losses in human resource management as has been the case in some other fields (e.g., hospitality management).