Post job

Human resources analyst vs generalist

The differences between human resources analysts and generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a human resources analyst, becoming a generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resources analyst has an average salary of $69,001, which is higher than the $46,518 average annual salary of a generalist.

The top three skills for a human resources analyst include HRIS, customer service and powerpoint. The most important skills for a generalist are sales floor, store sales, and customer loyalty.

Human resources analyst vs generalist overview

Human Resources AnalystGeneralist
Yearly salary$69,001$46,518
Hourly rate$33.17$22.36
Growth rate11%7%
Number of jobs90,2118,585
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4447
Years of experience46

What does a human resources analyst do?

A human resources (HR) analyst is an individual who collaborates with a company's HR staff members to identify and assist in solving HR-related issues. HR analysts must provide advice and support to numerous departments in the organization regarding HR policies and best practices. They assist the HR team in the moderation of operating policies, guidelines, and systems to encourage best practices in the company. HR analysts also review data of employees and job candidates while inputting them into the HR database.

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.

Human resources analyst vs generalist salary

Human resources analysts and generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources AnalystGeneralist
Average salary$69,001$46,518
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $96,000Between $29,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelMeta
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources analyst and generalist education

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

Human Resources AnalystGeneralist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources analyst vs generalist demographics

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

Human Resources AnalystGeneralist
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 29.1% Female, 70.9%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage12%18%

Differences between human resources analyst and generalist duties and responsibilities

Human resources analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage ADP implementation through completion.
  • Lead overall Kronos implementation as in-house lead consultant.
  • Manage annual affirmative action plan including ongoing tracking of EEO information and annual reporting.
  • Manage leave-of-absence program and work with corporate benefits to administer FMLA notifications and assist with disability relate issues.
  • Perform weekly quality audit checks for KRONOS to ensure update records are accurate and correct.
  • Prepare written and electronic reports and presentations in PowerPoint.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Human resources analyst vs generalist skills

Common human resources analyst skills
  • HRIS, 11%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Data Integrity, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
Common generalist skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Store Sales, 17%
  • Customer Loyalty, 14%
  • Sales Growth, 12%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Processing Customer Transactions, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs