How HR took over the world

The profession has rocketed in size and stature. Will Al shrink it?

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Bit by bit, HR is taking over corporate life. The ranks of human-resources professionals across the rich world are swelling. Their roles are expanding. And some are still insisting that you complete your unconscious-bias training.

In 2024, American businesses employed about 1.3 million HR professionals, up by 64 per cent in 10 years and well above the 14 per cent growth in overall employment in that time.

The increase is particularly pronounced in white-collar firms: in the professional-services and technology industries, the number of HR workers has doubled since 2014. A similar rise is evident in Australia, Britain and Germany.

HR has moved up the office pecking order, too. A study by Stanford University’s Nick Bloom and Mert Akan shows that the pay of chief human-resources officers (CHROs) has grown relative to other senior executives. In 1992, their total compensation (including bonuses and stock options) was 40 per cent of the average director’s salary (excluding chief executives).

By 2022, that figure had risen to 70 per cent. More CHROs are also moving into the corner office. Ms Mary Barra, the boss of General Motors, previously held the carmaker’s top HR job. Firms such as Dunkin’ Brands, a doughnut specialist, and Chanel, a luxury-fashion house, have also given the top job to HR gurus.