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Human resource specialist vs senior human resources generalist

The differences between human resource specialists and senior 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 human resource specialist and a senior human resources generalist. Additionally, a senior human resources generalist has an average salary of $72,512, which is higher than the $53,143 average annual salary of a human resource specialist.

The top three skills for a human resource specialist include data entry, oversight and life insurance. The most important skills for a senior human resources generalist are HRIS, payroll, and employee engagement.

Human resource specialist vs senior human resources generalist overview

Human Resource SpecialistSenior Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$53,143$72,512
Hourly rate$25.55$34.86
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs50,51147,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4147
Years of experience66

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 senior human resources generalist do?

A Senior Human Resources Generalist implements human resources programs, such as health and welfare benefits, training and development, and safety/health. They are also responsible for improving manager and employee performance.

Human resource specialist vs senior human resources generalist salary

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

Human Resource SpecialistSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average salary$53,143$72,512
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $54,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCStamford, CT
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNevada
Best paying companyMetaPitchBook Data
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between human resource specialist and senior human resources generalist education

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

Human Resource SpecialistSenior Human Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Human resource specialist vs senior human resources generalist demographics

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

Human Resource SpecialistSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 26.9% Female, 73.1%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%18%

Differences between human resource specialist and senior human resources generalist 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

Senior human resources generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage hourly and management recruiting activity to meet establish AAP goals.
  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Partner with Sr. Management and line managers to develop organizational strategies and achieve overall organizational objectives.
  • Administer and negotiate benefits package, perform internal audits, manage disability and FMLA and perform in-house training.
  • Manage the FMLA application process, conduct employee investigations, resolve payroll and benefit discrepancies and administer salary adjustments per contract.
  • Complete all government filing requirements are complete timely and accurately, including ERISA, VETS-100A, EEO-1 and OSHA reporting.
  • Show more

Human resource specialist vs senior human resources generalist skills

Common human resource specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Life Insurance, 9%
  • Human Resources Policies, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Timekeeping, 5%
Common senior human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 8%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • SR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%

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