Reference data
Key figures on HR leadership, talent development, hiring, turnover, and workplace risk. Each statistic links to its primary public source.
Last updated August 27, 2026
At a glance
Use these figures to frame workforce decisions, research, and conversations about what it takes to build capability that lasts.
221,900
The occupation is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 17,900 openings each year over the decade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers, 2024 and 2024-34 projections.
$140,030
Median pay is the point at which half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers, May 2024.
944,300
Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the 3% average projected for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Specialists, 2024 and 2024-34 projections.
81,800
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects many openings to come from workers changing occupations or leaving the labour force.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Specialists, 2024-34 projections.
46,400
Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,800 openings per year over the decade.
11%
That projection is much faster than the 3% average projected for all occupations, with about 43,900 openings per year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Specialists, 2024-34 projections.
7.4M
The national job-openings rate was 4.4% that month, a useful indicator of the scale of workforce planning and hiring activity.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, June 2026.
3.2M
The quits rate was 2.0%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes quits as voluntary separations initiated by the employee.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, June 2026.
88,201
The agency also resolved 90,743 charges and secured almost $660 million in monetary relief for people affected by employment discrimination.
What the figures show
HR leadership, specialized capability, learning, and workforce movement all remain active pressures on the organizations making major change. The numbers do not prescribe a single answer. They do show why leadership alignment, decision clarity, and practical adoption deserve attention throughout a transformation.
Methodology and sources
This page brings together published U.S. government data. Statistics retain their original reporting periods and definitions, which are explained in the linked source material.
Cite this page
HR SOS, LLC. “U.S. HR and Workforce Statistics: 2026.” Updated August 27, 2026. https://hrsos.co/hr-workforce-statistics
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