Human Resources
Quick Facts: Human Resources Training
Where it's offered
Human Resources programs are offered at 36 schools across 18 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $43,781/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 13 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Human Resources — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 36 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 52/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Human Resources Graduates Do
Your day could start with guiding a new hire through their paperwork as a Human Resources Specialist, then shift to investigating a workplace issue in the afternoon. Or you might find your niche as a Training and Development Specialist, designing interactive workshops or creating e-learning modules for new company software. Most careers begin in a specialist or assistant role, handling day-to-day employee needs using HR information systems.
Read more
With a few years of experience, you can advance to a Human Resources Manager, where your focus shifts to strategy and leading a team, and your earnings potential grows significantly. Demand is strong across the board, with training roles growing especially fast as companies invest in their employees. While software is automating routine tasks like scheduling interviews, it frees you to focus on work that requires a human touch: mediating conflicts, developing company culture, and coaching managers through tough decisions.
You may also want to compare Human Resources with Insurance, Finance, and Clinical & Counseling Psychology on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 13 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Human Resources. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apprenticeship And Training Representative (Gov Only)
RAPIDS 2037HY |
4000-6000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $65,850 – $92K | 10.8% |
|
Career Development Technician (Alternate Title: Personnel Specialist)
RAPIDS 1057CB |
Competency | Competency | $56K – $72,910 – $97K | 6.2% |
|
Counselor
RAPIDS 569 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $52K – $65,140 – $83K | 3.5% |
|
Education And Training (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1079CB |
Competency | Competency | $49K – $65,850 – $92K | 10.8% |
|
Fire Department Training Officer
RAPIDS 1087 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $65,850 – $92K | 10.8% |
|
Inspector, Quality Assurance
RAPIDS 992 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Inspector, Quality Assurance (Alternate Title: Quality Management Professional)
RAPIDS 0992CB |
Competency | Competency | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Military Equal Opportunity (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1077CB |
Competency | Competency | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Personnel Systems Management (Military Only) (Alt Title: Human Resource Spec)
RAPIDS 1078CB |
Competency | Competency | $42K – $49,440 – $59K | -7.1% |
|
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
RAPIDS 2062HY |
3000-4000 hrs | Hybrid | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Workforce Development Analyst
RAPIDS 2043 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $65,850 – $92K | 10.8% |
|
Workforce Development Specialist
RAPIDS 2042 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $65,850 – $92K | 10.8% |
|
Youth Development Practitioner
RAPIDS 1039HY |
3000-4000 hrs | Hybrid | $56K – $72,910 – $97K | 6.2% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Human Resources Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Human Resources is offered at 36 schools across 18 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Human Resources Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Human Resources programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 36 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Human Resources Programs
Schools where Human Resources graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $64,711/yr | 73 |
| Ferris State University | $53,029/yr | 69 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $51,570/yr | 73 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $48,970/yr | 68 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $46,445/yr | 64 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | $46,304/yr | 74 |
| University of Phoenix-Hawaii | $46,304/yr | 64 |
| University of Phoenix-California | $46,304/yr | 64 |
| University of Phoenix-Nevada | $46,304/yr | 64 |
| University of Phoenix-Texas | $46,304/yr | 64 |
Best ROI for Human Resources
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Human Resources.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | 78.1x | $41,237/yr | 73 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | 72.1x | $46,304/yr | 74 |
| Waukesha County Technical College | 63.6x | $45,383/yr | 72 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | 61.4x | $51,570/yr | 73 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | 53.5x | $40,858/yr | 68 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | 50.8x | $36,886/yr | 65 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | 49.4x | $40,006/yr | 66 |
| Western Technical College | 46.6x | $44,911/yr | 68 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 46.1x | $64,711/yr | 73 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | 43.4x | $45,651/yr | 68 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Human Resources degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.