Employee relations specialist vs human resources generalist

The differences between employee relations specialists and human resources generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an employee relations specialist, becoming a human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an employee relations specialist has an average salary of $56,574, which is higher than the $56,159 average annual salary of a human resources generalist.

The top three skills for an employee relations specialist include performance management, excellent interpersonal and corrective action. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Employee relations specialist vs human resources generalist overview

	Employee Relations Specialist	Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary	$56,574	$56,159
Hourly rate	$27.20	$27.00
Growth rate	-3%	8%
Number of jobs	30,109	44,365
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	6

What does an employee relations specialist do?

An employee relations specialist is someone who identifies the recruitment needs of employers. The specialist collects and analyzes employee data, organizes and updates employee files, and oversees employee orientation and training. Employee relations specialists promote colleges' majors to employers through mass mailings, off-site employer visits, and cold calls. They help with on-campus recruitment events and manage employment opportunity posting. The skills necessary for this job include customer service, communications skills, knowledge in software applications, and attention to detail.

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.

Employee relations specialist vs human resources generalist salary

Employee relations specialists and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Employee Relations Specialist	Human Resources Generalist
Average salary	$56,574	$56,159
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $81,000	Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	Adobe	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between employee relations specialist and human resources generalist education

There are a few differences between an employee relations specialist and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:

	Employee Relations Specialist	Human Resources Generalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Pennsylvania

Employee relations specialist vs human resources generalist demographics

Here are the differences between employee relations specialists' and human resources generalists' demographics:

	Employee Relations Specialist	Human Resources Generalist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 employee relations specialist and human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Employee relations specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and implement improvements to UK recruitment and inductions/orientation.
Gather and document information to achieve litigation free outcomes or successfully defend company.
Manage departmental restructuring & redundancy program for engineering operations across two UK locations.
Generate HRIS reports and manage personnel files, management information, and candidate data utilizing standardize reporting systems.
Advise on legal compliance (e.g., ADA, FMLA, harassment) and contract and policy interpretation.
Administer to ADA, FLSA, FMLA/ PDL/ CFRA, and retirement.

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.

Employee relations specialist vs human resources generalist skills

Common employee relations specialist skills

Performance Management, 6%
Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
Corrective Action, 5%
Management System, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Conflict Resolution, 5%

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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Employee Relations Specialist
Employee Relations Specialist vs Human Resources Generalist

Updated January 8, 2025

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