8 HR Entry-Level Jobs to Explore: Salaries, Tasks, and Requirements

Human resources (HR) manages employee-related matters and serves a vital business function. People who thrive as HR professionals are typically excellent communicators who can maintain confidentiality, solve complex problems, and navigate sensitive situations with diplomacy.

Careers in HR are poised to grow faster than average, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meaning that it may be somewhat easier to find roles in this area and advance compared to other careers [1]. Learn more about entry-level HR roles, including the salaries each title typically earns and what they do. Afterward, build key skills to succeed in human resources with the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate.

Entry-level HR areas to explore

Human resources handles many different responsibilities. The kinds of entry-level careers available to explore will often depend on which area you'd like to focus on and the size of the company you'd like to work for. For instance, if you work at a smaller company, you may handle various tasks that only one person might handle at a larger company.

Areas to develop entry-level experience in include:

• Talent management

• Compensation and benefits

• Employee relations

• Training and development

• Skills training

• Compliance and legal

• Operations

HR entry-level jobs

Below, you'll find some of the more common entry-level job titles to consider if you're just starting out.

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of July 2025.

1. Human resources assistant

Average annual US salary: $48,677

As an assistant to the human resources manager, you'll have an opportunity to learn a lot about HR. Some skills necessary for this job include confidentiality, being organized, and communicating well. Job duties you may have include:

• Assisting with employee recruitment (posting job openings, pre-screening job applicants, and setting up interviews)

• Managing HR emails and other communications

• Maintaining personnel files

• Collecting paperwork from new employees

• Informing new employees about benefits

• Tracking changes to benefits plans

Requirements: This position typically requires at least an associate degree in human resource management, but a bachelor's degree may be preferred. Companies might accept related degrees in personnel management or business administration. After gaining experience in this role, you can progress to a senior human resources assistant or human resources generalist.  

2. Staffing coordinator

Average annual US salary: $49,055

As a staffing coordinator in an HR department, you'll attend to personnel needs. Skills that help in this job include organizational skills and the ability to communicate well orally and in writing. Your job duties might include:

• Helping out with staff hiring, training, and orientation

• Explaining work duties and responsibilities to new employees

• Documenting work performance

• Preparing disciplinary reports

• Developing and monitoring work schedules

• Managing requests for time off

Requirements: Most companies require that staffing coordinators have at least a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field. Career advancements you might make within HR from a staffing coordinator position include becoming a recruiter and, eventually, a senior recruiter. 

3. Payroll administrator

Average annual US salary: $60,859

The duties of a payroll administrator focus on employee compensation. Skills that can help you land a job as a payroll administrator include the ability to work with numbers and experience with payroll software. In this position, your tasks typically include:

• Processing timecards

• Managing payroll

• Maintaining hourly wage or salary information

• Tracking employee leave

• Managing payroll tax returns and deposits

• Entering data into employee databases and timekeeping systems

Requirements: To get a job as a payroll administrator, you should get an associate degree in accounting or finance at minimum. With just a few years in this role, you may be able to advance to a payroll specialist position. 

4. Training assistant

Average annual US salary: $50,242

A training assistant works under the training manager. This job requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to work well under pressure. If you're hired as a training assistant, you will likely handle much of the prep work for employee training, such as:

• Creating training schedules and timetables

• Finding and securing locations

• Booking guest speakers

• Making travel arrangements

• Setting up rooms

• Preparing and distributing training materials

Requirements: Many companies require at least an associate degree for training assistant positions. You can earn this in human resources administration or management, or in related fields like business. After gaining experience in training, you can advance to be a training specialist or training manager.

5. Recruitment coordinator

Average annual US salary: $48,629

A recruitment coordinator supports the hiring process by handling the administrative and logistical aspects of recruitment. This role requires strong organizational abilities, excellent communication skills, and attention to detail. As a recruitment coordinator, you would manage the day-to-day recruitment operations, including:

• Scheduling and coordinating interviews

• Managing job postings across various platforms

• Screening resumes and applications

• Communicating with candidates

• Maintaining candidate databases

• Coordinating assessment tests

• Assisting with job fairs and recruitment events

Requirements: Most employers require a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field. Strong computer skills and familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS) are usually necessary. This role can lead to positions such as recruiter or talent acquisition specialist.

6. Talent acquisition coordinator

Average annual US salary: $51,483

A talent acquisition coordinator works closely with hiring managers and the recruitment team to support the full hiring cycle. This role focuses on creating a positive candidate experience and requires excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting candidate sourcing efforts

• Managing employer branding initiatives

• Coordinating pre-employment screenings

• Preparing offer letters

• Assisting with onboarding processes

• Tracking recruitment metrics

• Maintaining recruitment calendars

Requirements: This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in HR, business, or a related field. Experience with recruitment software and strong administrative skills are essential. This position can lead to roles such as talent acquisition specialist or recruiter.

7. Benefits administrator

Average annual US salary: $54,826

A benefits administrator manages employee benefits programs and serves as the main point of contact for benefits-related questions. This role requires attention to detail and strong customer service skills. Primary duties include:

• Processing benefits, enrollments, and changes

• Explaining benefits options to employees

• Managing leave of absence requests

• Reconciling benefits billing

• Maintaining benefits records

• Assisting with open enrollment

• Coordinating with insurance providers

Requirements: This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in HR, business, or a related field. Knowledge of benefits administration and HRIS systems is important. Career progression can lead to senior benefits administrator or benefits manager.

8. HR support specialist

Average annual US salary: $47,921

An HR support specialist provides administrative support to the HR department and assists with various HR processes. This role requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Key tasks include:

• Processing HR paperwork

• Maintaining HR databases

• Responding to employee inquiries

• Supporting HR initiatives

• Assisting with new hire orientation

• Managing HR documentation

• Coordinating HR events

Requirements: Associate or bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field is typically preferred. Strong computer skills and experience with HRIS systems are important. This role can lead to positions such as HR generalist or HR coordinator.

Ways to pursue an entry-level HR career

There are a few different avenues that lead to an entry-level HR role. Let's review some of the more standard options.

Earn a bachelor's degree in HR.

Many companies expect candidates to have a bachelor's degree in HR as part of their hiring requirements. Even if you can find a job without a college degree, you may need it to advance. Institutions now offer HR degrees—or business degrees with an HR concentration—to introduce you to key aspects of this crucial line of work.

Apply your degree in a related subject.

Other college majors, such as business and psychology, can be useful to pivot to an HR career. In fact, many companies value diverse perspectives in HR roles, making it possible to pivot into the field by starting in entry-level positions and building specific HR expertise through on-the-job experience and professional development.

Examples of related degrees include: 

• Business

• Communications

• Economics

• Finance

• Marketing

• Organizational psychology

• Public relations

Gain professional experience.

Past work experience in non-HR areas can often transfer to an HR job. For example, you could be considered for an entry-level HR job if you have experience as a:

• Team leader

• Shift manager

• Customer service representative

• Administrative assistant

• Salesperson

As you apply, use your cover letter to explain the transferable skills you've developed and your interest in pursuing an HR career.

Earn a certification or certificate.

If you don't have a college degree, or you have one in a different area and are looking for ways to strengthen your resume, consider earning a certification or certificate to show the extra effort you've put in to gaining formalized knowledge and strengthening your skill set. Search for recognized HR certifications and identify the ones most beneficial for your goals. Not only do these types of shorter educational programs emphasize practical skills development, but you can feature them on your resume as a way to stand out.

Learn more: HR Career Path Options

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