Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $93.8bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
COVID-19 and the pandemic recovery induced volatility
- As the pandemic and related shutdowns impacted the economy, many businesses were forced to permanently close their storefronts, limiting the pool of clients. Other businesses and organizations cut off the industry's services, hoping to lower overhead costs while weathering the downturn.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Steady economic conditions will boost demand from small businesses
- Despite challenges related to high inflation, rising interest rates and recessionary fears, GDP will rise steadily during the outlook period. Solid economic conditions will increase employment, corporate profit, the number of businesses and access to credit.
Biggest companies in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 | Profit ($m)
2023 | Profit Margin (%)
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 5,113.9 | 1,269.3 | 24.8 | |
Paychex, Inc. | 1,194.2 | 486.3 | 40.7 | |
Benefitfocus, Inc. | 228.4 | -5.2 | -2.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 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 Human resources administration, Employee benefits administration and Regulatory compliance administration. Human resources administration is the largest segment of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US.
Trends and Insights
Human resources administration spikes following the pandemic
- This type of administration involves handling sensitive and complicated employment issues, including ongoing supervisory education and training regarding risk management.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides clients with various day-to-day office administrative services, such as assistance with financial planning, billing and record keeping, personnel, physical distribution and logistics. Companies also furnish general and specialized management services on a day-to-day basis and a contracted or fee-for-service basis.
What's included in this industry?
Administrative and business management servicesExecutive management servicesHotel and motel management servicesManaging offices of dentistsManaging offices of physicians and surgeonsManaging offices of other professionalsHuman resource servicesBusiness process outsourcingRegulatory compliance servicesHealth insurance and workers' compensation claims administrationCompanies
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.Paychex, Inc.Benefitfocus, Inc.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORBENEFITS ADMINISTRATIONNONEMPLOYERHRMIndustry Code
NAICS 56111 - Human Resources & Benefits Administration 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
Outsourcing has steadily increased, particularly as business growth hastens following the pandemic. More outsourcing has raised demand for the services human resources and be...
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 (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- 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
Massive rehiring during the pandemic recovery caused demand for human resources administration to surge during the current period. Since human resources administration compri...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
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
Providers are located near high-growth regions. New York and California are particularly attractive, as these states are home to high-growth financial and technology industri...
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 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2023
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
Reputation is key to success in the industry. Businesses, households, government agencies and other buyers seek administrators who can provide value-added services.
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 2018-2023
- 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
Automatic Data Processing, a public company based in New Jersey, holds a significant market share in four industries. The company is the only major player in the Human Resour...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Paychex, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Benefitfocus, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Automatic Data Processing, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Paychex, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Benefitfocus, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Businesses must have good knowledge of labor and tax laws to ensure that they sell a good product. Administrators also had to adapt to changing regulations resulting from COV...
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 (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
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
Fewer businesses purchased HR and benefits services during the economic downturn. The industry’s low capital intensity meant providers could quickly scale back and avoid sunk...
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 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2016-2021)
- Industry Tax Structure (2016-2021)
- Income Statement (2016-2021)
- Balance Sheet (2016-2021)
- Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
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 (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States is $93.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in 2023?
There are 440k businesses in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.3 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration market in United States are Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Paychex, Inc. and Benefitfocus, Inc.
What does the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US in United States include?
Administrative and business management services and Executive management services are part of the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Automatic Data Processing, Inc..
How competitive is the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Human Resources & Benefits Administration in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- HR Consulting in the US
- Professional Employer Organizations in the US
Complementors
- Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US
- Tax Preparation Services in the US
International industries
- Global HR & Recruitment Services
- Human Resources & Benefits Administration in Canada
- Human Resources Provision in the UK
View all industries in United States
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.
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