Human Resources (HR) Coordinator: Tasks, Skills, and How to Become One

Key takeaways

HR coordinators perform clerical and administrative duties related to hiring, benefits, retirement plans, and employee relations. 

• Critical skills for an HR coordinator include experience with HR analytics, an understanding of payroll and benefits, and knowledge of the recruiting and hiring process.

• Typically, organizations seek HR coordinators with at least a bachelor’s degree. 

• You can enhance your career prospects as an HR coordinator by earning relevant HR certifications, such as Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

Take a closer look at what HR coordinators do, including the skills and qualifications needed to pursue this role. Afterward, if you’re ready to build essential job skills, enroll in the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about employee training, talent acquisition, performance appraisal, diversity, equity, and more.

What is an HR coordinator?

Human resources (HR) coordinators are responsible for supporting the daily operations of a company’s human resources department. In this junior role, you’ll perform clerical and administrative duties pertaining to hiring, benefits, retirement plans, and employee relations. As a result, you'll be a critical link between employees and HR managers, helping ensure everyone's needs are met. 

What does an HR coordinator do?

While human resources (HR) manages all activities involving employees, including hiring, compensation, and performance management, HR coordinators are responsible for an HR department's administrative and clerical functions. As an HR coordinator, you would report to a company's HR manager or director and contribute to improving the HR department's policies and processes.

In this role, your responsibilities can range widely. Some of the most common duties that HR coordinators perform include:

• Manage hard and digital copies of employee records.

• Assist with the recruitment process of candidates.

• Manage the administrative process for interviews, meetings, HR events, and campaigns.

• Conduct training sessions and seminars.

• Update records of new and existing staff.

• Collaborate with the entire human resource team.

• Assist with internal and external human resource inquiries from employees.

• Assist with employee performance reviews.

• Track the hiring status of candidates using the company’s human resources information system (HRIS).

• Conduct background checks on new employees.

HR coordinator salary and career outlook

According to Glassdoor, the annual median total salary for an HR coordinator in the US is $55,000 [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. Roles related to this area are estimated to grow by 6 percent between 2024 and 2034, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [2].

Certain industries may pay more for HR coordinators. The top five industries by salary for this role include financial services, aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, construction, and manufacturing [1].

Is HR coordinator the same as HR assistant?

Both HR coordinator and HR assistant are entry-level HR roles, but they are not the same. While HR coordinators take on more advanced work, such as screening job applicants, HR assistants help with support tasks, including paperwork. Working as an HR assistant is generally the first stage of entering the HR field. 

HR coordinator jobs and career paths

Becoming an HR coordinator is a great way to build experience and progress in your HR career. If you're interested in advancing, consider the following job titles:

• Senior HR coordinator: In this role, you would take on more responsibilities, such as supervising junior coordinators and handling more complex projects, such as coordinating benefits for new hires. You might also manage employee performance reviews for a larger group of employees.

• HR specialist: You could specialize in payroll and benefits, recruitment, training, or any other HR function. If you’re climbing the ladder in an enterprise environment, specialization is a great way to gain exposure to higher levels in the management structure.

• HR consultant: Many consulting firms work with companies of all sizes to help them address their talent needs or improve their people practices, such as employee engagement, training, or diversity and inclusion programs.

• HR manager: In this position, you have full responsibility for everything related to human resources, from hiring staff to ensuring retention and performance management. The role will vary depending on company size and industry. If you’re moving from a coordinator role, you may want to take this role at a smaller company where you can gain experience before moving up the ranks.

Key skills for human resources coordinators

For effective HR coordination, you'll need to build the technical and workplace skills employers are looking for. According to Payscale, the top-paying skills for HR coordinators include [3]

• Human resources: $55,901

• HRIS: $55,720

• Employee relations: $54,601

• On-boarding: $55,409

• Recruiting: $54,349

How to become an HR coordinator

HR coordinators are integral to the proper functioning of HR departments, both large and small. Some of the most common steps many professionals take to join the field include the following:

1. Obtain relevant education.

Many HR jobs require that you possess a bachelor's degree. Although it is possible to enter the field without a college degree, you may find it difficult to advance. For more senior positions, employers often expect applicants to have a master's degree in human resource management. According to Zippia, the most common college majors for HR coordinators are business, human resources management, psychology, and communication [4].

2. Gain HR coordinator skills.

To be a successful HR coordinator, you must develop relevant HR skills, such as people skills to empathetically address employees' needs and technical proficiencies to ensure your company abides by all federal and state laws. At a glance, some of the skills you'll want to develop to succeed as a professional HR coordinator include:

• Understanding of payroll and benefits

• Knowledge of the recruiting and hiring process

• Comfortable leading training and development efforts

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite software

• HR analytics

3. Consider HR certification.

HR professionals often advance as they gain experience. However, getting certifications may be a way to accelerate your career at times. Certifications may also make it easier to develop special knowledge of an HR area or move into a new company or industry. If you're interested in making HR your profession, some certifications to consider include:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

• Human Resource Information Professional (HRIP)

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

4. Make use of your networks.

Networking is an effective strategy to find entry-level opportunities. Consider these ideas to build relationships, gather information, and improve your exposure:

• Talk with friends and family members who have worked in HR. 

• Attend local networking events and meet other HR professionals. 

• Join social media groups or follow HR professionals on LinkedIn. 

• Connect with a mentor who can provide career guidance and advice.

5. Craft a resume that demonstrates your HR coordinator competencies. 

When you're considering a new job or pivoting to a new career, it's important to understand how your experience and skills meet employers' needs. Identify the transferable skills you possess and how they might fit with an HR coordinator role. For example, if you've previously worked in customer service, you might highlight your experience maneuvering complex interpersonal interactions, negotiating skills, and ability to devise creative solutions that both resolve problems and improve customer satisfaction. These are all good examples of transferable skills that are valued in HR departments.

Hiring managers looking for HR talent will be interested in your accomplishments, so make sure to include them on your resume. For example, you might note that in a previous position, you reduced employee turnover from 15 percent to 8 percent by initiating an employee recognition program. Whatever your accomplishment, potential employers will likely want to understand the impact of your work.

Read more: 13 Ways to Strengthen + Enhance Your Resume to Stand Out as an Applicant 

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