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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 | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,636 | $72,512 |
| Hourly rate | $27.23 | $34.86 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 43,496 | 47,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
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 associates and senior human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Associate | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average salary | $56,636 | $72,512 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $80,000 | Between $54,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Citi | PitchBook Data |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a human resources associate and a senior human resources generalist in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Associate | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between human resources associates' and senior human resources generalists' demographics:
| Human Resources Associate | Senior Human Resources Generalist | |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8% | Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5% |
| 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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 18% |