Human resources clerk vs human resources manager

The differences between human resources clerks and human resources managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a human resources clerk, becoming a human resources manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resources manager has an average salary of $80,442, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.

The top three skills for a human resources clerk include data entry, customer service and background checks. The most important skills for a human resources manager are performance management, customer service, and payroll processing.

Human resources clerk vs human resources manager overview

	Human Resources Clerk	Human Resources Manager
Yearly salary	$35,149	$80,442
Hourly rate	$16.90	$38.67
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	107,374	43,453
Job satisfaction	-	4.67
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	43	47
Years of experience	2	6

What does a human resources clerk do?

A human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries. Besides participating in the hiring process, a human resources clerk also has administrative duties such as maintaining employee information and records, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, and assisting newly hired employees. This is all done in adherence to a company's policies and regulations.

What does a human resources manager do?

Human resources managers, or HR managers, are responsible for the overall conduct of the different facets of human resources in the organization. They oversee the different processes involved in recruitment, compensation and benefits, talent development, organizational development, employee relations, and employee engagement. It is important that HR managers are well-versed in the different facets of HR. They set policies and procedures, as well as guiding principles of the organization related to these facets. They must be able to balance the needs of the employees and the rules of the management team. HR managers should have strong decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and management skills.

Human resources clerk vs human resources manager salary

Human resources clerks and human resources managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Human Resources Clerk	Human Resources Manager
Average salary	$35,149	$80,442
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $45,000	Between $56,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	Auburn, NY	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Washington
Best paying company	University of Massachusetts Boston	Bain & Company
Best paying industry	Government	Technology

Differences between human resources clerk and human resources manager education

There are a few differences between a human resources clerk and a human resources manager in terms of educational background:

	Human Resources Clerk	Human Resources Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Northwestern University

Human resources clerk vs human resources manager demographics

Here are the differences between human resources clerks' and human resources managers' demographics:

	Human Resources Clerk	Human Resources Manager
Average age	43	47
Gender ratio	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%	Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	15%	18%

Differences between human resources clerk and human resources manager duties and responsibilities

Human resources clerk example responsibilities.

Manage mail, postage, bank deposits and FedEx runs, etc.
Manage timesheets for payroll, account for all employees, and enter information into QuickBooks.
Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
Enter all payroll/timekeeping information into payroll system, including leave slips for vacations, flex time, bereavement and/or FMLA.
Utilize the Kronos system to retrieve time bank information, alter hours for correction, verify accurate processing.
Track all 2nd and 3rd shift attendance by running reports in Kronos and transferring attendance data into PeopleSoft.

Human resources manager example responsibilities.

Manage audit efforts to ensure compliance with OFCCP and EEOC standards
Manage requisitions, rout candidates and determine the disposition of each candidate using iCIMS.
Manage all monthly and quarterly financial statement reviews by board as well as A/R, A/P and general ledger.
Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
Manage system upgrades, testing and documentation of enterprise-wide PeopleSoft Payroll/HRMS system.

Human resources clerk vs human resources manager skills

Common human resources clerk skills

Data Entry, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
Background Checks, 7%
I-9, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

Common human resources manager skills

Performance Management, 8%
Customer Service, 5%
Payroll Processing, 5%
HRIS, 5%
Employee Engagement, 5%
EEO, 4%

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Human Resources Clerk vs Human Resources Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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