HR Coordinator Job Description and Salary
Last Updated September 27, 2018
The HR coordinator role often serves as a great first step into the human resources career field.
It’s a position that is key to management in HR. A human resources coordinator plans, oversees and coordinates all the administrative aspects of the human resources department.
For those with the ambition to advance into upper management HR roles and the willingness to get the education needed to do so, the HR Coordinator role can lead to positions such as HR Manager, HR Director, HR Business Partner and other HR-related careers.
Entry into this job requires a combination of education, certification and relevant experience.
What Does an HR Coordinator Do
HR coordinators focus on the administrative aspects of human resources. That includes the efficient and effective delivery of programs and services to employees as well as streamlining administrative functions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HR coordinators can oversee a wide range of areas that include employee relations, compensation and labor negotiations. They develop expertise in human resources policies and processes and then strive to find ways to improve them.
On any given day, an HR coordinator’s job duties could include:
- Administering employee health plans
- Acting as a liaison between an employee and an insurer
- Managing delivery of a specific HR program or service
- Meeting with employees to answer HR-related questions
- Assisting new employees through the hiring and onboarding process
- Handling issues in processes such as performance review, recruitment, interviewing job candidates and terminations
Human Resources Coordinators may also specialize in specific areas such as:
Training – Overseeing the implementation of training for existing employees and new hires. They also may evaluate the effectiveness of training programs for both groups.
Employee benefits – Administering programs and services in many areas, including profit sharing, insurance benefits, long-term disability and pensions.
Recruiting – Managing staffing needs, including the recruiting and hiring of the best employees available in needed areas.
HR Coordinator Salary and Job Demand
Salary potential can vary by specific job duties, however, Glassdoor places average salaries for all HR coordinators at approximately $48,000. In some organizations, the HR coordinator is an hourly, non-exempt position. In others, depending on the level of independent judgment and authority that rests with the position, the job may be salaried and exempt from overtime compensation.
As the workforce expands, so does the need for those who work in human resources. The BLS projects a 16% increase in the number of human resource assistants by 2026.
For those wishing to enter HR, the HR coordinator role can prove a great first step into a new and growing career field.
Required Education and HR Certifications for HR Coordinators
Most HR coordinators are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in HR or a related field. Professionals who aspire to advance within the industry can also bolster their knowledge and marketability with an HR certification.
Two of the most recognized HR certifications are the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®), offered through the Society for Human Resource Management.
Villanova University’s HR Management certificate program aligns with the SHRM Body of Knowledge, which includes the behavioral competencies and knowledge professionals need to be effective in human resources. Students learn practical techniques and competencies that they can put to work immediately to effectively handle HR challenges while preparing for the SHRM-CP ® or the SHRM-SCP® certification exam.
