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Human resource specialist vs human resources technician

The differences between human resource specialists and human resources technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a human resource specialist, becoming a human resources technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resource specialist has an average salary of $53,143, which is higher than the $40,933 average annual salary of a human resources technician.

The top three skills for a human resource specialist include data entry, oversight and life insurance. The most important skills for a human resources technician are human resources, customer service, and data entry.

Human resource specialist vs human resources technician overview

Human Resource SpecialistHuman Resources Technician
Yearly salary$53,143$40,933
Hourly rate$25.55$19.68
Growth rate8%-
Number of jobs50,51139,846
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4143
Years of experience62

What does a human resource specialist do?

A human resources specialist is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and staffing process. Duties of a human resources specialist include updating the requirements and qualifications of a job post, handling employees' inquiries regarding compensation and benefits, maintaining employees' records, updating the status of new joiners, tracking performance reviews, and generating reports as business requires. A human resource specialist must be detail-oriented, as well as excellent in organizational and communication skills. Additionally, a human resource specialist must have a broad knowledge of the recruitment process and structure.

What does a human resources technician do?

A human resources technician is primarily responsible for performing clerical support tasks in a human resources office. Their duty revolves around preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, reviewing requirements and applications, participating in planning and executing HR projects and programs, and gathering information as necessary. They must also update and maintain a database, making sure everything is running smoothly. Should there be any issues or inquiries, it is crucial to address and resolve them right away. Furthermore, a human resources technician may participate in the hiring processes, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Human resource specialist vs human resources technician salary

Human resource specialists and human resources technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resource SpecialistHuman Resources Technician
Average salary$53,143$40,933
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCPennsauken, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyMetaPayPal
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between human resource specialist and human resources technician education

There are a few differences between a human resource specialist and a human resources technician in terms of educational background:

Human Resource SpecialistHuman Resources Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resource specialist vs human resources technician demographics

Here are the differences between human resource specialists' and human resources technicians' demographics:

Human Resource SpecialistHuman Resources Technician
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 26.9% Female, 73.1%Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%15%

Differences between human resource specialist and human resources technician duties and responsibilities

Human resource specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage site KRONOS payroll, time and attendance, and vacation tracking for hourly.
  • Manage new hire and current employee paperwork that includes status change forms, W-4s, I-9s, etc.
  • Lead a compliance initiative to ensure successful transition to the e-Verify employment verification process.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Advise, coach, and counsele managers and Sr.
  • Assist with affirmative action reporting, VETS100 and EEO-1 submission.
  • Show more

Human resources technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage KRONOS time reporting leave tracking and relate policy for a department, division or section.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Develop and implement a training module on payroll and FMLA for new managers.
  • Conduct KRONOS, digital database and digital recorder training on an as need basis.
  • Enter all benefit data into PeopleSoft application.
  • Generate initial paperwork for FMLA and short/long term disability.
  • Show more

Human resource specialist vs human resources technician skills

Common human resource specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Life Insurance, 9%
  • Human Resources Policies, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Timekeeping, 5%
Common human resources technician skills
  • Human Resources, 15%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Payroll System, 6%
  • Personnel Actions, 6%

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