Mid-Level

Personnel Analyst

A Personnel Analyst typically handles workforce analytics and program work — staffing analyses, classification reviews, compensation studies, and reports — usually in government or large institutional HR settings.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
I
A
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Personnel Analysts
Employment concentration · ~392 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Personnel Analyst

Daily rhythm involves data analysis, report writing, classification reviews, and coordination with HR program owners. You'll often work across HRIS, classification, and compensation systems — turning raw data into reports that drive decisions. Pacing follows reporting cycles and project demands.

The technical-political bridge can surprise newcomers — personnel analyses can touch sensitive compensation and staffing decisions, requiring both analytical rigor and stakeholder communication. Coordination with HR program owners, leadership, and external auditors is constant. Documentation quality shapes how recommendations land.

People who thrive here typically have strong analytical instincts, comfort with HR data, and clear written communication. Patience under data inconsistencies and reliable analytical judgment usually matter more than prior pure-HR background.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportAbove avg
AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
IndependenceModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Personnel Analysts (SOC 13-1071.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$45K–$127K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
917K
U.S. Employment
+6.2%
10yr Growth
82K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
13-1071.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.