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Employment specialist vs human resources administrative assistant

The differences between employment specialists and human resources administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an employment specialist and a human resources administrative assistant. Additionally, an employment specialist has an average salary of $39,530, which is higher than the $37,044 average annual salary of a human resources administrative assistant.

The top three skills for an employment specialist include customer service, rehabilitation and mental health. The most important skills for a human resources administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and background checks.

Employment specialist vs human resources administrative assistant overview

Employment SpecialistHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$39,530$37,044
Hourly rate$19.00$17.81
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs59,75772,861
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does an employment specialist do?

An employment specialist deals with job applicants to match their talents to a specific job that properly suits them. Employment specialists assist applicants or the unemployed by testing their skills, conducting mock interviews, and creating a proper resume. They can work separately within a company or be part of the human resources department to assist in the hiring process. Employment specialists are often tasked to handle company layoffs and act as the liaison officer between the employer and the Department of Labor.

What does a human resources administrative assistant do?

A human resources administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative tasks such as gathering and processing necessary documentation, preparing timely reports and evaluations, arranging schedules, maintaining and monitoring record databases, and responding to inquiries. Aside from assisting human resource officers in their tasks, they can also lend a hand in screening and training new workforce members. Furthermore, because a human resources administrative assistant holds the employee database, they need to coordinate with other departments and employees to ensure that everyone receives what is needed.

Employment specialist vs human resources administrative assistant salary

Employment specialists and human resources administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Employment SpecialistHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Average salary$39,530$37,044
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $52,000Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew Jersey
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyEmory University
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between employment specialist and human resources administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between an employment specialist and a human resources administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Employment SpecialistHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Employment specialist vs human resources administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between employment specialists' and human resources administrative assistants' demographics:

Employment SpecialistHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 30.4% Female, 69.6%Male, 9.3% Female, 90.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 7.7% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between employment specialist and human resources administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Employment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partner agencies to share leads, information and execute OJT agreements.
  • Assist in managing unemployment claims, wrongful termination claims, civil and EEOC suits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of vocational rehabilitation theory and practice along with the hiring needs and job requirements of the local business community.
  • Present information about vocational rehabilitation to community.
  • Maintain records according to CARF standards.
  • Verify identity with I9 documents like driver license; passports and social security cards.
  • Show more

Human resources administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage unemployment verification process and enter employee changes into PeopleSoft.
  • Labor hours, PTO, accident reports and training records are all track through data entry and issuance of reports.
  • Handle and make necessary changes to payroll processes/system daily by using KRONOS.
  • Enter and balance payroll, certify payroll and send ACH file to bank.
  • Assist with the instruction and training of new associates regarding KRONOS punches, attendance policies, and payroll incentive programs.
  • Submit employment of identification per e-verify.
  • Show more

Employment specialist vs human resources administrative assistant skills

Common employment specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common human resources administrative assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Background Checks, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • HRIS, 4%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%

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