New report highlights a skills evolution and flexible work trends reshaping HR
HR is navigating a shifting landscape, with demand for HR workers significantly below pre-pandemic levels despite overall growth in employment, according to a new SHRM report.
As of December 2025, average active HR job postings were only 78% of their February 2020 levels – a drop of more than 20%. SHRM’s Trends in HR Employment and Labor Demand Report points to economic pressures, technology adoption, and organisational changes as key factors affecting the profession.
“This research clearly demonstrates how the landscape has changed for HR across the last few years,” said James Atkinson, VP of thought leadership at SHRM. “The HR profession has had to pivot constantly to keep pace with ongoing talent shortages, rapid technological change, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.”
Employment growth outpaces job openings
Despite declining postings, HR employment grew roughly 16% between February 2020 and September 2025, far outpacing overall employment growth. Over the past 30 years, HR jobs have consistently expanded faster than the broader workforce, the report shows.
Labor market data from January 2026 indicates mixed conditions in the US workforce. While overall job gains were modest, with about 130,000 positions added, unemployment fell slightly. Private hiring was modest in key sectors, and job openings overall remain near multi‑year lows.
HR professionals also enjoy greater flexibility than the average worker, with half of HR roles offering remote work options. This trend reflects the profession’s adaptation to post-pandemic workplace norms.
Skills demands are changing
HR positions increasingly require higher education and advanced skills. Top competencies include interpersonal, cognitive, business, and standard software abilities.
Technical skills are gaining importance. By December 2025, 3.1% of HR job postings highlighted AI and machine learning skills, compared with 2.3% across all jobs. This indicates HR’s expanding role in strengthening organisational resilience and competitiveness.
Industry-specific trends
HR representation varies widely across sectors. Industries with complex regulatory environments or large specialised workforces tend to employ more HR professionals, reflecting different organisational needs.
Emerging HR trends identified by SHRM include AI integration, personalised employee development, and a shift to data‑driven performance and talent strategies that support organisational resilience and strategic outcomes.
The report analysed Current Population Survey data and Lightcast job postings using 12-month averages to smooth month-to-month variation. Findings are organized across three HR categories: assistants/clerks, specialists, and managers.
Atkinson stressed the significance of these trends: “The findings show a growing demand for advanced skills like AI and machine learning, while HR’s elevated flexibility and higher educational requirements underscore its evolving role in driving organisational resilience and competitiveness. Understanding these shifts is essential for leaders seeking to build agile, future-ready teams in an era of disruption.”
While HR remains a critical function, rapidly changing conditions highlight the need for innovation and transformation within the profession.
