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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 | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,143 | $72,512 |
| Hourly rate | $25.55 | $34.86 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 50,511 | 47,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
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 specialists and senior human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resource Specialist | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average salary | $53,143 | $72,512 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $77,000 | Between $54,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | PitchBook Data |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between a human resource specialist and a senior human resources generalist in terms of educational background:
| Human Resource Specialist | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between human resource specialists' and senior human resources generalists' demographics:
| Human Resource Specialist | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1% | Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 9% | 18% |