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Generalist vs human resources lead

The differences between generalists and human resources leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a generalist and a human resources lead. Additionally, a human resources lead has an average salary of $102,531, which is higher than the $46,518 average annual salary of a generalist.

The top three skills for a generalist include sales floor, store sales and customer loyalty. The most important skills for a human resources lead are project management, employee engagement, and customer service.

Generalist vs human resources lead overview

GeneralistHuman Resources Lead
Yearly salary$46,518$102,531
Hourly rate$22.36$49.29
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs8,58548,122
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a generalist do?

A generalist, also known as a human resource generalist, is responsible for overseeing the operations in a human resource department, focusing on employees' welfare and working conditions. They are primarily involved in the hiring and laying off processes among employees, handing training and benefits programs, and coordinating with every department in the company. Furthermore, a generalist must perform administrative tasks that mostly revolve around producing reports and processing paperwork, conducting research and analysis, and responding to correspondence.

What does a human resources lead do?

A Human Resource Leader is responsible for achieving set goals for the HR department. Their duties include implementing strategies as well as recruiting, training, and keeping highly skilled employees.

Generalist vs human resources lead salary

Generalists and human resources leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

GeneralistHuman Resources Lead
Average salary$46,518$102,531
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $72,000Between $63,000 And $165,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNevada
Best paying companyMetaMayer Brown
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between generalist and human resources lead education

There are a few differences between a generalist and a human resources lead in terms of educational background:

GeneralistHuman Resources Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Generalist vs human resources lead demographics

Here are the differences between generalists' and human resources leads' demographics:

GeneralistHuman Resources Lead
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 37.8% Female, 62.2%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage18%18%

Differences between generalist and human resources lead duties and responsibilities

Generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain PBX and VoIP phone systems at multiple locations.
  • Manage multiple lab projects for the implementation of new lab analyzers as well as LIS functionality.
  • Plan, install and manage new locations build outs with complete VPN connectivity and VOIP utilization for the multiple locations.
  • Manage UAB and HSF faculty recruitment, staffing needs, terminations, compensation, records management, employee relations and retention.
  • Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
  • Perform chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, hematology, and blood bank laboratory tests, equipment calibration and quality assurance reports.
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Human resources lead example responsibilities.

  • Define the strategy and manage the HIPAA program for county communication & training.
  • Explain the RFP process and lead a team of around 30 through the entire process.
  • Manage all weekly status reports, data tracking, communications, training & internal SharePoint sites to support.
  • Provide assistance in the interpretation and application of government laws, i.e., FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.
  • Direct a team of project managers in the allocation of PMO resources.
  • Maintain all activities and processes according to PMO guidelines and SDLC methodology.
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Generalist vs human resources lead skills

Common generalist skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Store Sales, 17%
  • Customer Loyalty, 14%
  • Sales Growth, 12%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Processing Customer Transactions, 4%
Common human resources lead skills
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • EEO, 4%

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