Post job

Human resources assistant vs senior human resources generalist

The differences between human resources assistants and senior human resources generalists 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 senior human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior human resources generalist has an average salary of $72,512, 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 senior human resources generalist are HRIS, payroll, and employee engagement.

Human resources assistant vs senior human resources generalist overview

Human Resources AssistantSenior Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$36,498$72,512
Hourly rate$17.55$34.86
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs40,40847,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4347
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 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 resources assistant vs senior human resources generalist salary

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

Human Resources AssistantSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average salary$36,498$72,512
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $48,000Between $54,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCStamford, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkNevada
Best paying companyPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonPitchBook Data
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between human resources assistant and senior human resources generalist education

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

Human Resources AssistantSenior Human Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Human resources assistant vs senior human resources generalist demographics

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

Human Resources AssistantSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average age4347
Gender ratioMale, 15.9% Female, 84.1%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage15%18%

Differences between human resources assistant and senior human resources generalist 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

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 resources assistant vs senior human resources generalist 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 senior human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 8%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • SR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%

Browse office and administrative jobs