Benefits & payroll administrator vs human resources generalist

The differences between benefits & payroll administrators 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 benefits & payroll administrator and a human resources generalist. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $50,662 average annual salary of a benefits & payroll administrator.

The top three skills for a benefits & payroll administrator include human resources, HRIS and cobra. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Benefits & payroll administrator vs human resources generalist overview

	Benefits & Payroll Administrator	Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary	$50,662	$56,159
Hourly rate	$24.36	$27.00
Growth rate	7%	8%
Number of jobs	61,356	44,365
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	45	41
Years of experience	6	6

What does a benefits & payroll administrator do?

The Benefits and Payroll Administrator manages the company's payroll, ensuring work benefits and employee documents are secure. The administrator also delivers employees' issues and concerns to the company's proper channels. This position also helps in the audit of the company and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. This administrative position requires bookkeeping knowledge, a bachelor's degree, and experience in using spreadsheets and accounting software.

What does a human resources generalist do?

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.

Benefits & payroll administrator vs human resources generalist salary

Benefits & payroll administrators and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Benefits & Payroll Administrator	Human Resources Generalist
Average salary	$50,662	$56,159
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $68,000	Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	HGA	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Professional	Technology

Differences between benefits & payroll administrator and human resources generalist education

There are a few differences between a benefits & payroll administrator and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:

	Benefits & Payroll Administrator	Human Resources Generalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Benefits & payroll administrator vs human resources generalist demographics

Here are the differences between benefits & payroll administrators' and human resources generalists' demographics:

	Benefits & Payroll Administrator	Human Resources Generalist
Average age	45	41
Gender ratio	Male, 11.7% Female, 88.3%	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.6% 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%

Differences between benefits & payroll administrator and human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Benefits & payroll administrator example responsibilities.

Manage HRIS, recruiting, training, and time and attendance programs as well as trouble shooting.
Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
Ensure accuracy of all benefit enrollments and life status changes record in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
Complete weekly internal payroll reports and fund employee accounts (HSA and 401K).
Process benefit elections, merit raises, salary changes, garnishments, cobra and severance.
Administer employee benefits programs including group medical, dental, vision, group life and FSA.

Human resources generalist example responsibilities.

Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.

Benefits & payroll administrator vs human resources generalist skills

Common benefits & payroll administrator skills

Human Resources, 6%
HRIS, 6%
Cobra, 6%
Payroll System, 4%
Open Enrollment, 4%
ADP Payroll, 4%

Common human resources generalist skills

HRIS, 9%
Performance Management, 7%
Customer Service, 5%
Exit Interviews, 4%
Payroll Processing, 3%
Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

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Benefits & Payroll Administrator
Benefits & Payroll Administrator vs Human Resources Generalist

Updated January 8, 2025

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