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Human resources associate vs senior human resources consultant

The differences between human resources associates and senior human resources consultants 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 senior human resources consultant. Additionally, a senior human resources consultant has an average salary of $81,131, 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 senior human resources consultant are healthcare, employee engagement, and workforce planning.

Human resources associate vs senior human resources consultant overview

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Consultant
Yearly salary$56,636$81,131
Hourly rate$27.23$39.01
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs43,49662,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 senior human resources consultant do?

A senior human resources consultant specializes in recommending solutions to optimize a company's human resource operations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing procedures, devising strategies to attain the best employment practices, and developing programs for the benefit of employees. They may also implement the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed. Furthermore, as a senior human resources consultant, it is essential to lead and encourage junior consultants and managers to accomplish goals in adherence to the vision and mission of the company.

Human resources associate vs senior human resources consultant salary

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Consultant
Average salary$56,636$81,131
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $60,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyCitiSantander Private Banking International
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between human resources associate and senior human resources consultant education

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Human resources associate vs senior human resources consultant demographics

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Consultant
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7%
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 senior human resources consultant 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

Senior human resources consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Project leader on Lawson HRIS performance management implementation.
  • Investigate civil/federal FMLA misuse and represent the organization with a positive outcome.
  • Develop FMLA administration/case management process where none exist that receive endorsement by the DOL.
  • Correct and reinforce desire performance improvement behaviors while coaching leaders and associates on newly implement HRIS system.
  • Reduce employment litigation from multiple claims to minimal exposure providing counseling and leadership coaching and partnering with management on resolutions.
  • Show more

Human resources associate vs senior human resources consultant skills

Common human resources associate skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • HRIS, 8%
  • I-9, 6%
  • Performance Management, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 5%
  • Payroll Processing, 4%
Common senior human resources consultant skills
  • Healthcare, 7%
  • Employee Engagement, 7%
  • Workforce Planning, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • SR, 4%

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