Best Online Masters in Human Resources Degrees for 2025

Compensation and benefits managers are HR professionals that specialize in the employee benefits packages. This person sets an organization's pay structure and compensation breakdown, selects and manages insurance brokers, benefits vendors, and makes recommendations to C suite executives regarding compensation, professional development programs, and budgeting for salaries and other benefits.

To be effective in this role, human resources managers must evaluate market conditions and have a deep understanding of wage structure and putting together a competitive benefits package. Compensation and benefits managers may also be responsible for putting together incentive programs, commission structures, and guidelines for performance-based bonuses.
Average Pay: $87,700

Human resources directors occupy a range of roles across all kinds of organizations. A director at a smaller company, for example, might have a more general role, whereas, in a large organization, you might have directors with specialist roles such as a director of benefits and compensation or recruitment.

HR directors plan and manage all HR initiatives within an organization, including benefits, compensation, salary negotiation, training, team building, and leadership. They also work to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented correctly and in compliance with the law and professional standards. And, they oversee staff operations, budgeting efforts, and company culture initiatives. To work as an HR director, you'll typically need an online bachelor's degree at a minimum, though employers may prefer to hire those with a master's degree. Certification and demonstrable leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills also factor in finding success in this role.
Average Pay: $89,000

Recruiting managers often work on behalf of a large company filling available manager and supervisory positions and scouting new potential talent. Recruiting managers typically work in an office setting, spending their days communicating with potential candidates as well as administering proficiency assessments, conducting screening interviews, and following up with applicants.

Master's degree holders or managers with a bachelor's degree and significant experience may be qualified to become recruiting directors, a more strategic leadership role that involves coming up with recruiting strategies and working with HR staff and upper management to develop a more effective approach to attracting and retaining talent.
Average Pay: $92,300