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The differences between benefit specialists and human resources generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a benefit specialist and a human resources generalist. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $48,756 average annual salary of a benefit specialist.
The top three skills for a benefit specialist include customer service, HR and patients. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.
Benefit Specialist | Human Resources Generalist | |
Yearly Salary | $48,756 | $56,159 |
Hourly rate | $23.44 | $27.00 |
Growth Rate | 7% | 8% |
Number Of Jobs | 31,663 | 44,365 |
Job Satisfaction | - | 4 |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
Average Age | 45 | 41 |
Years Of Experience | 6 | 6 |
A benefits specialist is responsible for analyzing and processing the compensation package of an organization, ensuring that the salary and benefits received by an employee adhere to the current legislation procedures. Benefits specialists develop benefits programs, adjusting pension plans and insurance options as needed, and updating the employees on recent updates and changes. A benefits specialist responds to employees' inquiries, addresses their concerns, and manages benefits issues. A benefits specialist must have a clear understanding of benefits policies and processes to educate employees about the benefits structure.
A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.
Benefit specialists and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
Benefit Specialist | Human Resources Generalist | |
Average Salary | $48,756 | $56,159 |
Salary Range | Between $34,000 And $68,000 | Between $41,000 And $76,000 |
Highest Paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
Highest Paying State | Connecticut | New York |
Best Paying Company | Qorvo | Microsoft |
Best Paying Industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a benefit specialist and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:
Benefit Specialist | Human Resources Generalist | |
Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
Most Common Major | Business | Business |
Most Common College | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between benefit specialists' and human resources generalists' demographics:
Benefit Specialist | Human Resources Generalist | |
Average Age | 45 | 41 |
Gender Ratio | Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9% | Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5% |
Race Ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |