Human resources associate vs human resources clerk

The differences between human resources associates and human resources clerks 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 clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resources associate has an average salary of $56,636, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.

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

Human resources associate vs human resources clerk overview

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Clerk
Yearly salary	$56,636	$35,149
Hourly rate	$27.23	$16.90
Growth rate	8%	-
Number of jobs	43,496	107,374
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	6	2

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 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 associate vs human resources clerk salary

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Clerk
Average salary	$56,636	$35,149
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Auburn, NY
Highest paying state	New York	Oregon
Best paying company	Citi	University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry	Finance	Government

Differences between human resources associate and human resources clerk education

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Human resources associate vs human resources clerk demographics

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Clerk
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	9%	15%

Differences between human resources associate and human resources clerk 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.

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.

Human resources associate vs human resources clerk 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 clerk skills

Data Entry, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
Background Checks, 7%
I-9, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Human Resources Associate
Human Resources Associate vs Human Resources Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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