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Human resources associate vs senior human resources generalist

The differences between human resources associates and senior human resources generalists 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 generalist. Additionally, a senior human resources generalist has an average salary of $72,512, 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 generalist are HRIS, payroll, and employee engagement.

Human resources associate vs senior human resources generalist overview

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$56,636$72,512
Hourly rate$27.23$34.86
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs43,49647,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
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 generalist do?

A Senior Human Resources Generalist implements human resources programs, such as health and welfare benefits, training and development, and safety/health. They are also responsible for improving manager and employee performance.

Human resources associate vs senior human resources generalist salary

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average salary$56,636$72,512
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $54,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCStamford, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkNevada
Best paying companyCitiPitchBook Data
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources associate and senior human resources generalist education

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Human resources associate vs senior human resources generalist demographics

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

Human Resources AssociateSenior Human Resources Generalist
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
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 senior human resources generalist 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 generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage hourly and management recruiting activity to meet establish AAP goals.
  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Partner with Sr. Management and line managers to develop organizational strategies and achieve overall organizational objectives.
  • Administer and negotiate benefits package, perform internal audits, manage disability and FMLA and perform in-house training.
  • Manage the FMLA application process, conduct employee investigations, resolve payroll and benefit discrepancies and administer salary adjustments per contract.
  • Complete all government filing requirements are complete timely and accurately, including ERISA, VETS-100A, EEO-1 and OSHA reporting.
  • Show more

Human resources associate vs senior human resources generalist 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 generalist skills
  • HRIS, 8%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • SR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%

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