Human resources associate vs human resources technician

The differences between human resources associates and human resources technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resources associate has an average salary of $56,636, which is higher than the $40,933 average annual salary of a human resources technician.

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

Human resources associate vs human resources technician overview

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Technician
Yearly salary	$56,636	$40,933
Hourly rate	$27.23	$19.68
Growth rate	8%	-
Number of jobs	43,496	39,846
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
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 technician do?

A human resources technician is primarily responsible for performing clerical support tasks in a human resources office. Their duty revolves around preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, reviewing requirements and applications, participating in planning and executing HR projects and programs, and gathering information as necessary. They must also update and maintain a database, making sure everything is running smoothly. Should there be any issues or inquiries, it is crucial to address and resolve them right away. Furthermore, a human resources technician may participate in the hiring processes, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Human resources associate vs human resources technician salary

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Technician
Average salary	$56,636	$40,933
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Pennsauken, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Citi	PayPal
Best paying industry	Finance	Government

Differences between human resources associate and human resources technician education

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Human resources associate vs human resources technician demographics

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

	Human Resources Associate	Human Resources Technician
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	9%	15%

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

Manage KRONOS time reporting leave tracking and relate policy for a department, division or section.
Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Develop and implement a training module on payroll and FMLA for new managers.
Conduct KRONOS, digital database and digital recorder training on an as need basis.
Enter all benefit data into PeopleSoft application.
Generate initial paperwork for FMLA and short/long term disability.

Human resources associate vs human resources technician 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 technician skills

Human Resources, 15%
Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 6%
HRIS, 6%
Payroll System, 6%
Personnel Actions, 6%

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Human Resources Associate
Human Resources Associate vs Human Resources Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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