Human resources (HR) professionals contribute to the success of an organization by managing one of its most valuable assets: its human capital. They oversee all activities associated with the recruiting, hiring, and training of employees in addition to employee compensation and benefits.

They also serve as a link between the organization and its employees. In most cases, HR professionals use a human resources information system to manage employees’ data.

There are many benefits that come with working in the field, including the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives and to improve the operating efficiencies of the organization.

Other benefits include an above-average salary and job security. When it comes to starting a career in HR, some cities provide more opportunities than others. With that in mind, here are five of the best cities in which to start an HR career:

1. Washington, DC

Washington, DC, is an ideal place to begin a career in human resources. It has one of the highest densities of HR workers in the nation at 10 HR workers per 1,000 employees.

The city is home to several major employers, including Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, General Dynamics, Hilton, Capital One and IBM. Of course, DC is also home to the federal government and numerous government contractors.

Washington’s metro system makes it easy to commute from the suburbs. Entertainment options are abundant, and the bustling nightlife includes restaurants, clubs, bars, and music venues. Many of the city’s most famous attractions are free to visit.

The climate is mild when compared to many parts of the United States, and spring is a gorgeous time of the year with the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

2. New York City

HR jobs are abundant in New York City. At any given time, there are approximately 6,000 positions available. Prominent employers include IBM, JPMorgan, Verizon, Deloitte, Pepsi, Citi, and the City of New York.

Google also decided to tap into New York City’s energy and diversity and located its second-largest office there. Salaries for HR professionals in New York are also among the highest in the nation.

As far as lifestyle, New York is known as the city that never sleeps. The nightlife is extensive and includes a multitude of dining and entertainment options.

The New York City transit system makes it easy to commute from suburbs located as far away as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. After-hours socializing is effortless with so many places to go and a solid transportation system to take you home at night.

3. Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, has been rated as one of the best places to live and work in the United States. One major reason for that is Austin’s job market, which includes approximately 1,200 available positions in human resources.

Known as a tech town, Austin has an extremely low unemployment rate and is one of the fastest-growing major metro areas in the United States. Prominent employers include 3M, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Apple, and Cirrus Logic.

Austin is known as the “live music capital of the world” due to the fact that it has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the nation. Its warm year-round lifestyle contributes to its bustling nightlife and family-friendly suburbs.

For those who love an outdoor adventure, Austin has many parks, creeks, hills, stunning vistas, and wildflowers, not to mention access to the Colorado River.

4. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia. Although the city’s population is only about 500,000, Atlanta is the center of a metropolitan area with a population of nearly 6 million.

Dominant industries include logistics, media operations, information technology, and business services. Major employers include Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and UPS. Approximately 2,200 HR positions are available.

Atlanta is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It has balmy summers and mild winters. Also known as “Hotlanta,” Atlanta features a hip downtown with quiet suburbs. Professional sports include baseball, basketball, football, and soccer.

Another thing that makes Atlanta so attractive is its access to various beaches to the east and mountain ranges to the west. It is also home to the busiest and most efficient airport in the world.

5. San Francisco, California

San Francisco also has many opportunities for HR professionals with a density rating of 5.5 per 1,000 workers. Prominent employers include Facebook, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, Oracle, and Visa.

Many digital media companies also operate out of the San Francisco area, including Twitter, YouTube, and Pixar. Additionally, the city is close to Silicon Valley and Stanford University.

The weather in San Francisco is ideal year-round for nature lovers and romantics. It is close to beaches and features extensive nightlife and dining. Commuting is easy. You don’t even need a car to get to work. You can walk or bike, plus you can take a bus or a streetcar. You can even ride one of the city’s famous cable cars up and down the city’s hilly streets.

Conclusion

Human resources can be a very rewarding career. Most HR professionals enjoy an above-average salary, especially if they have an SHRM certification.

While HR professionals are needed throughout the country, some cities are better than others when it comes to starting an HR career. These include Washington, DC; New York City; Austin, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and San Francisco, California.

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