HR Consulting in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 54161bRevenue
$36.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
202k
Businesses
49,257
Wages
$XX.Xbn
HR Consulting in the US industry analysis
Human resource (HR) management has become more important to businesses as the economy becomes increasingly service-oriented, placing a greater emphasis on employee relations and benefits and benefiting the HR Consulting industry. The industry has benefited from economic growth, with business activity increasing alongside an expansion of the labor force. As corporate profit grew despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, clients' willingness to pay for consulting services increased, leading more companies to hire consultants to address HR-related concerns. Overall, industry revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.8% to reach an estimated $36.3 billion over the five years to 2024, including growth of 0.4% during the current year.
Trends and Insights
- As the US economy has become more service-oriented and companies place a greater priority on staff relations, human resource (HR) management has grown in importance.
- HR consulting companies provide a range of services to aid businesses in efficiently managing their people resources. Development of organizational design, HR strategies, personnel management, compensation and benefits, and HR technology consulting may all fall under this category.
- Population density, along with general business activity, are the main determinants of where HR consultants are located in the United States. These factors broaden the local markets that HR consultants are able to serve, creating additional business opportunities.
- HR consulting is highly competitive. The ability of a company to satisfy the needs and expectations of clients, as well as its knowledge, skills, and expertise determine its ability to generate client demand.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $36.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The role of HR consultants in the economy has expanded
- The business community has increasingly embraced the added value that HR consultants provide. The industry also benefits from its large client base, as nearly all US industries use HR consultants. In particular, the financial service establishments, insurance companies, government entities and healthcare companies are major markets for industry services.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The future of work will continue to change
- The COVID-19 pandemic exposed both strengths and weaknesses in the domestic labor force, a point of interest that industry operators are expected to capitalize on in the post-pandemic landscape.
Biggest companies in the HR Consulting in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu | 2,314.5 | 487.4 | 21.1 | |
Aon Plc | 2,219.3 | 497.4 | 22.4 | |
Willis Towers Watson Plc | 1,713.7 | 409.9 | 23.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Compensation and benefits consulting, Human resources management consulting and Actuarial consulting. Compensation and benefits consulting is the largest segment of the HR Consulting in the US.
Trends and Insights
The most common type of industry support is strategic consulting
- Strategic consulting, also known as human capital, refers to advisory services aimed at maximizing the return on the talent of existing workers. It is the largest industry service category.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US
- Management Consulting in the US
- Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US
Complementors
- Employment & Recruiting Agencies in the US
International industries
- HR Consulting in Canada
- Management Consulting in Australia
- Consulting Services in New Zealand
- Management Consultants in the UK
- Human Resources Provision in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies provide advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations for structuring human resource and personnel policies, employee benefits, compensation systems, wage and salary administration, recruitment and retention. This industry does not include companies that provide professional and management development training or those that list employment vacancies and place applicants in open positions.
What's included in this industry?
Providing compensation planning servicesProviding personnel management assessmentProviding actuarial consulting servicesStructuring employee benefitsAssessing organization developmentProviding employee assessmentsProviding advice for recruitment and retentionCompanies
Deloitte Touche TohmatsuAon PlcWillis Towers Watson PlcPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ACTUARYHUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENTPERSONNEL POLICIESIndustry Code
NAICS 541612 - HR Consulting in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
As the US economy has become more service-oriented and companies place a greater priority on staff relations, human resource (HR) management has grown in importance.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
HR consulting companies provide a range of services to aid businesses in efficiently managing their people resources. Development of organizational design, HR strategies, per...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Population density, along with general business activity, are the main determinants of where HR consultants are located in the United States. These factors broaden the local ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
HR consulting is highly competitive. The ability of a company to satisfy the needs and expectations of clients, as well as its knowledge, skills, and expertise determine its ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The HR consulting market is diverse. The market includes a mix of big multinational companies, medium-sized and tiny boutique businesses, start-ups in HR technology, independ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Aon Plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Willis Towers Watson Plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Aon Plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Willis Towers Watson Plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The HR Consulting industry faces minimal regulation. The industry is largely self-regulated, as there is no federal regulation targeted directly at it.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The cost structures of HR consulting businesses varies significantly. Factors that influence cost structure include the services a business provides, the client it services, ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States is $36.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the HR Consulting in the US industry in 2024?
There are 49,257 businesses in the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the HR Consulting in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the HR Consulting market in United States are Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Aon Plc and Willis Towers Watson Plc
What does the HR Consulting in the US in United States include?
Providing compensation planning services and Providing personnel management assessment are part of the HR Consulting in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the HR Consulting in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
How competitive is the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the HR Consulting in the US industry in United States.
