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Human resources associate vs human resources lead

The differences between human resources associates and human resources leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a human resources associate and a human resources lead. Additionally, a human resources lead has an average salary of $102,531, which is higher than the $56,636 average annual salary of a human resources associate.

The top three skills for a human resources associate include customer service, HRIS and I-9. The most important skills for a human resources lead are project management, employee engagement, and customer service.

Human resources associate vs human resources lead overview

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Lead
Yearly salary$56,636$102,531
Hourly rate$27.23$49.29
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs43,49648,122
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4147
Years of experience66

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 lead do?

A Human Resource Leader is responsible for achieving set goals for the HR department. Their duties include implementing strategies as well as recruiting, training, and keeping highly skilled employees.

Human resources associate vs human resources lead salary

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Lead
Average salary$56,636$102,531
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $63,000 And $165,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkNevada
Best paying companyCitiMayer Brown
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources associate and human resources lead education

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Human resources associate vs human resources lead demographics

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

Human Resources AssociateHuman Resources Lead
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%18%

Differences between human resources associate and human resources lead 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 lead example responsibilities.

  • Define the strategy and manage the HIPAA program for county communication & training.
  • Explain the RFP process and lead a team of around 30 through the entire process.
  • Manage all weekly status reports, data tracking, communications, training & internal SharePoint sites to support.
  • Provide assistance in the interpretation and application of government laws, i.e., FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.
  • Direct a team of project managers in the allocation of PMO resources.
  • Maintain all activities and processes according to PMO guidelines and SDLC methodology.
    • Show more

Human resources associate vs human resources lead 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 lead skills
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • EEO, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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