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Human resources assistant vs human resource specialist

The differences between human resources assistants and human resource specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a human resources assistant, becoming a human resource specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resource specialist has an average salary of $53,143, which is higher than the $36,498 average annual salary of a human resources assistant.

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

Human resources assistant vs human resource specialist overview

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resource Specialist
Yearly salary$36,498$53,143
Hourly rate$17.55$25.55
Growth rate-8%
Number of jobs40,40850,511
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4341
Years of experience26

What does a human resources assistant do?

Human resources (HR) assistants are responsible for various activities of the human resources department of the organization. This is usually an entry-level position for those who intend to build a career in human resources. Human resources assistants usually do administrative and clerical activities for the department. They are also exposed to various facets of HR, such as recruitment, training, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational development. They get trained to do different activities, and as time goes by, they get to have more significant responsibilities within the department.

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.

Human resources assistant vs human resource specialist salary

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resource Specialist
Average salary$36,498$53,143
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $48,000Between $36,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyGovernment

Differences between human resources assistant and human resource specialist education

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resource Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources assistant vs human resource specialist demographics

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resource Specialist
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 15.9% Female, 84.1%Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 10.4% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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%
LGBT Percentage15%9%

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

Human resources assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage all candidate activity and conduct full life- cycle recruiting through an applicant tracking system (ATS).
  • Manage new employee orientation training, including e-verify.
  • Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
  • Manage short-term disability and FMLA claims; notified/educate employees of eligibility and qualification requirements.
  • Maximize efficiency of HRIS system by participating in initial design, managing ongoing system enhancements and streamlining reports.
  • Conduct compensation analyses, manage EEO compliance tracking activities and deliver presentations to corporate management regarding process improvement.
  • Show more

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 assistant vs human resource specialist skills

Common human resources assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Payroll Processing, 8%
  • Background Checks, 8%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Assist Human Resources, 4%
Common human resource specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Life Insurance, 9%
  • Human Resources Policies, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Timekeeping, 5%

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