Human resources consultant vs senior human resources generalist

The differences between human resources consultants 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 consultant and a senior human resources generalist. Additionally, a senior human resources generalist has an average salary of $72,512, which is higher than the $71,882 average annual salary of a human resources consultant.

The top three skills for a human resources consultant include performance management, shared services and workforce planning. The most important skills for a senior human resources generalist are HRIS, payroll, and employee engagement.

Human resources consultant vs senior human resources generalist overview

	Human Resources Consultant	Senior Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary	$71,882	$72,512
Hourly rate	$34.56	$34.86
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	52,761	47,037
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a human resources consultant do?

A human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.

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 consultant vs senior human resources generalist salary

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

	Human Resources Consultant	Senior Human Resources Generalist
Average salary	$71,882	$72,512
Salary range	Between $53,000 And $95,000	Between $54,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Stamford, CT
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Nevada
Best paying company	Eli Lilly and Company	PitchBook Data
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between human resources consultant and senior human resources generalist education

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

	Human Resources Consultant	Senior Human Resources Generalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Human resources consultant vs senior human resources generalist demographics

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

	Human Resources Consultant	Senior Human Resources Generalist
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4%	Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratio	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%	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	18%	18%

Differences between human resources consultant and senior human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Human resources consultant example responsibilities.

Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
Advise management on disciplinary actions, compensation, performance management, FMLA issues, and daily policy and procedural interpretation.
Handle UN employment claims, safety meetings, and key OSHA information.
Prepare cross-check system to ensure compliance with OSHA, EEOC and ADA.
Develop payroll relations with ADP and provide application training.
Conduct orientations to managers and supervisors on EEO federal/local regulations.

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.

Human resources consultant vs senior human resources generalist skills

Common human resources consultant skills

Performance Management, 9%
Shared Services, 8%
Workforce Planning, 8%
Employee Engagement, 7%
Payroll, 6%
Customer Service, 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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Human Resources Consultant vs Senior Human Resources Generalist

Updated January 8, 2025

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