💡 Why it matters: Companies are only as good as their staff. HR managers hire the right people, keep them happy and make sure everyone is treated fairly.
🌍 Around the world
- United States: Jobs are projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦2M – ₦4.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦5M – ₦12M
- Senior
- ₦12M – ₦30M
≈ ₦417k – ₦1M a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Closest UK job: Human resources officer. Typical starter to experienced salary. National Careers Service, 2026
🇺🇸 United States
Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Job Bank occupation: Manager, Human Resources. Hourly wage low/median/high x 2,080 hours. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Write job adverts and interview candidates
- Welcome new staff and explain company rules
- Plan training and career growth
- Handle staff complaints fairly and privately
- Manage pay, leave and staff records
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Empathy
- Communication
- Fairness
- Organisation
- Discretion
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Start as an HR assistant after OND or HND
- Work as an HR officer or recruiter and then qualify
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Start as an HR assistant or recruiter
- Study CIPD part-time while working
🇺🇸 United States
- Start as an HR assistant or recruiter
- Move into HR specialist then manager
🇨🇦 Canada
- Start as an HR assistant
- Study for CPHR while working
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Study English, Government and Civic Education (or similar subjects)
- 2Take an HR, psychology or business degree
- 3Work as an HR officer or recruiter
- 4Get a professional HR certificate
- 5Move up to HR manager or director
⏰ A day in the life
You begin with interviews for a new sales team, then meet a staff member who feels stressed at work. After lunch you plan a training day and update the leave records before heading home.