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The differences between heads of human resources 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 head of human resources and a human resources generalist. Additionally, a head of human resources has an average salary of $164,136, which is higher than the $56,159 average annual salary of a human resources generalist.
The top three skills for a head of human resources include EEO, excellent interpersonal and HRIS. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.
| Head Of Human Resources | Human Resources Generalist | |
| Yearly salary | $164,136 | $56,159 |
| Hourly rate | $78.91 | $27.00 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 54,209 | 44,365 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Head of human resources leads human resource projects, such as compensation plans revisions. They implement functional internal databases and HRMS across each department and location.
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.
Heads of human resources and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Of Human Resources | Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average salary | $164,136 | $56,159 |
| Salary range | Between $105,000 And $255,000 | Between $41,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maine | New York |
| Best paying company | Citi | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a head of human resources and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:
| Head Of Human Resources | Human Resources Generalist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between heads of human resources' and human resources generalists' demographics:
| Head Of Human Resources | Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% | Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5% |
| 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, 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 | 18% | 9% |