Human Resources Managers
Machines can already do 28% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 51%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Human Resources Managers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 28% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 51% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 220,660 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $149,280 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 73% for contact with people.
- Also called: Employee Relations Manager, HR Admin Director (Human Resources Administration Director), HR Director (Human Resources Director), HR Manager (Human Resources Manager).
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems | 11% | 30% to 54% | |
| Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations | 8% | 10% to 27% | |
| Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview, and select applicants | 8% | 38% to 62% | |
| Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures | 7% | 20% to 40% | |
| Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes | 7% | 35% to 58% | |
| Administer compensation, benefits, and performance management systems, and safety and recreation programs | 7% | 20% to 40% | |
| Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements | 6% | 45% to 75% | |
| Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion, and employee benefits | 5% | 40% to 68% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills human resources managers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much human resources managers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver9/10
- Trust and reliability10/10
- Know-how about the organisation10/10
- Network and relationships8/10
- Mentoring and developing others10/10
- Culture and morale10/10
- Initiative beyond the role8/10
- Calm in a crisis8/10
- Bridge between teams10/10
- Reputation and influence8/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $106,040
- Sales Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $148,270
- Coaches and Scouts48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,320
- Chief Operating Officers50% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Human Resources Managers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of human resources managers?
Machines can do 28% of the tasks of human resources managers today and 51% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 11-3121.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Human Resources Managers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/human-resources-managers/