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Human resources associate vs human resources assistant

The differences between human resources associates and human resources assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a human resources associate, becoming a human resources assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resources associate has an average salary of $56,636, which is higher than the $36,498 average annual salary of a human resources assistant.

The top three skills for a human resources associate include customer service, HRIS and I-9. The most important skills for a human resources assistant are customer service, payroll processing, and background checks.

Human resources associate vs human resources assistant overview

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Assistant
Yearly salary$56,636$36,498
Hourly rate$27.23$17.55
Growth rate8%-
Number of jobs43,49640,408
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4143
Years of experience62

What does a human resources associate do?

A human resources associate is responsible for supporting the human resources department's operations, updating employees' records within the organization's database, and managing the employees' inquiries and concerns by referencing the human resources policies. Human resources associates assist with staffing and recruitment processes, maintaining a timely job board, and filtering potential candidates' requirements and qualifications. They also respond to payments and benefits concerns and recommend employees' training and programs to maximize their potential, credibility, and productivity for daily operations and project management.

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.

Human resources associate vs human resources assistant salary

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Assistant
Average salary$56,636$36,498
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $27,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyCitiPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between human resources associate and human resources assistant education

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources associate vs human resources assistant demographics

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Assistant
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 15.9% Female, 84.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%15%

Differences between human resources associate and human resources assistant duties and responsibilities

Human resources associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage timekeeping system (KRONOS), attendance tracking, and reporting.
  • Manage disability vendor relationship and activities and identify HRIS issues.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Develop an on-line PowerPoint presentation explaining benefits for both open enrollment and new hire.
  • Verify employment background by carrying out e-verify checks and cross checking references.
  • Identify and escalate recurring payroll systems issues; review and reconcile hours work; create output file for payroll to ADP.
  • Show more

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 associate vs human resources assistant skills

Common human resources associate skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • HRIS, 8%
  • I-9, 6%
  • Performance Management, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 5%
  • Payroll Processing, 4%
Common human resources assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Payroll Processing, 8%
  • Background Checks, 8%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Assist Human Resources, 4%

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