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Human resources assistant vs human resources clerk

The differences between human resources assistants and human resources clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a human resources assistant and a human resources clerk. Additionally, a human resources assistant has an average salary of $36,498, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.

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

Human resources assistant vs human resources clerk overview

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Clerk
Yearly salary$36,498$35,149
Hourly rate$17.55$16.90
Growth rate--
Number of jobs40,408107,374
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

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 resources clerk do?

A human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries. Besides participating in the hiring process, a human resources clerk also has administrative duties such as maintaining employee information and records, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, and assisting newly hired employees. This is all done in adherence to a company's policies and regulations.

Human resources assistant vs human resources clerk salary

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Clerk
Average salary$36,498$35,149
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $48,000Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCAuburn, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkOregon
Best paying companyPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industryTechnologyGovernment

Differences between human resources assistant and human resources clerk education

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources assistant vs human resources clerk demographics

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

Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Clerk
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 15.9% Female, 84.1%Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between human resources assistant and human resources clerk 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 resources clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage mail, postage, bank deposits and FedEx runs, etc.
  • Manage timesheets for payroll, account for all employees, and enter information into QuickBooks.
  • Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
  • Enter all payroll/timekeeping information into payroll system, including leave slips for vacations, flex time, bereavement and/or FMLA.
  • Utilize the Kronos system to retrieve time bank information, alter hours for correction, verify accurate processing.
  • Track all 2nd and 3rd shift attendance by running reports in Kronos and transferring attendance data into PeopleSoft.
  • Show more

Human resources assistant vs human resources clerk 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 resources clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Background Checks, 7%
  • I-9, 5%
  • HRIS, 4%
  • Front Desk, 4%

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