Generalist vs senior human resources manager

The differences between generalists and senior human resources managers 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 senior human resources manager. Additionally, a senior human resources manager has an average salary of $102,806, 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 senior human resources manager are performance management, employee engagement, and SR.

Generalist vs senior human resources manager overview

	Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Yearly salary	$46,518	$102,806
Hourly rate	$22.36	$49.43
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	8,585	46,602
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

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 senior human resources manager do?

As a senior human resources manager, you are responsible for the overall management of human resources involving talent acquisition, performance management, and training and development. You will also handle compensation and benefits, employee services and industrial relations, and personnel administration to ensure a sustainable complement to the company's business operation requirements. It is also part of your role to review, plan, and provide general direction on employee relations programs and activities. The senior human resources manager also does an adequate review of company rules, regulations, and code of conduct and ensures the implementation of employee training and development programs.

Generalist vs senior human resources manager salary

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

	Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average salary	$46,518	$102,806
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $72,000	Between $73,000 And $143,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Nevada
Best paying company	Meta	Bain & Company
Best paying industry	Finance	Energy

Differences between generalist and senior human resources manager education

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

	Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Generalist vs senior human resources manager demographics

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

	Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%	Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	18%	18%

Differences between generalist and senior human resources manager 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.

Senior human resources manager example responsibilities.

Spearhead HRIS initiatives; transition to new applicant tracking system and develop leads database that strengthen recruitment pipeline.
Administer employee action issues including disciplinary procedures, promotions, retention, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
Prevent litigation by thoroughly investigating numerous harassment, discrimination, and other EEO cases.
Expand functionality to meet enhance reporting needs relate to payroll accruals and performance measurements.
Implement total quality management initiative by moving FMLA administration from 3rd party outsourcing to in-house.
Create automated offer letters and appropriate HRIS documentation for transfers, eliminating additional recruitment and operational support.

Generalist vs senior human resources manager skills

Common generalist skills

Sales Floor, 21%
Store Sales, 17%
Customer Loyalty, 14%
Sales Growth, 12%
Customer Service, 6%
Processing Customer Transactions, 4%

Common senior human resources manager skills

Performance Management, 10%
Employee Engagement, 6%
SR, 5%
HRIS, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Succession Planning, 4%

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Generalist vs Senior Human Resources Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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