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Human resources executive vs senior human resources specialist

The differences between human resources executives and senior human resources specialists 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 executive and a senior human resources specialist. Additionally, a human resources executive has an average salary of $84,219, which is higher than the $63,956 average annual salary of a senior human resources specialist.

The top three skills for a human resources executive include payroll, data entry and performance management. The most important skills for a senior human resources specialist are payroll, customer service, and HRIS.

Human resources executive vs senior human resources specialist overview

Human Resources ExecutiveSenior Human Resources Specialist
Yearly salary$84,219$63,956
Hourly rate$40.49$30.75
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs109,17246,316
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4741
Years of experience66

What does a human resources executive do?

A human resources executive is primarily in charge of developing and spearheading human resources programs such as benefits and compensation. They manage different teams, set objectives and guidelines, gather and analyze data, liaise with external parties, coordinate with analysts and specialists, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They must also oversee the employment procedures and participate in screening applicants. Furthermore, a human resources executive must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a senior human resources specialist do?

A senior human resources specialist is responsible for monitoring the human resources operations of an organization, managing employment processes and policies, and handling staffing needs and concerns. Senior human resources specialists design training and programs to maintain staff's efficiency and maximize the employees' productivity to support business functional operations. They also coordinate with management leaders to identify their hiring needs, evaluating their specifications for recruitment. A senior human resources specialist reviews the company's policies and guidelines regularly, adjusting procedures according to state regulations and business requirements.

Human resources executive vs senior human resources specialist salary

Human resources executives and senior human resources specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources ExecutiveSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average salary$84,219$63,956
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $124,000Between $45,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyJPMorgan Chase & Co.Edwards Lifesciences
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources executive and senior human resources specialist education

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

Human Resources ExecutiveSenior Human Resources Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources executive vs senior human resources specialist demographics

Here are the differences between human resources executives' and senior human resources specialists' demographics:

Human Resources ExecutiveSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average age4741
Gender ratioMale, 25.9% Female, 74.1%Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage18%9%

Differences between human resources executive and senior human resources specialist duties and responsibilities

Human resources executive example responsibilities.

  • Lead development of global HRIS system, enabling access from single point on global basis throughout different time zones.
  • Manage and/or direct several HRIS system changes or modifications resulting in increase efficiency and meeting the organization's increasing needs.
  • Manage compliance review of FLSA classification and analyze headcount and turnover reports and provide recommendations to management regarding appropriate headcount actions.
  • Authore employee manual covering issues like disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
  • Ensure adherence to all federal and state labor laws including ADA, FMLA, LOA's, etc.
  • Reduce company's costs by manpower planning, budgeting, forecasting, and hiring through a third party vendor.
  • Show more

Senior human resources specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead annual EEO-1 reporting team.
  • Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
  • Maintain and update personnel records in Peoplesoft and Kronos computer programs.
  • Participate in regular system updates as well as providing data integrity and functionality in a global HRIS environment.
  • Process I9's through HireRight.
  • Experience in Microsoft office products and payroll/personnel systems such as Lawson and KRONOS.
  • Show more

Human resources executive vs senior human resources specialist skills

Common human resources executive skills
  • Payroll, 14%
  • Data Entry, 13%
  • Performance Management, 7%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
  • Succession Planning, 3%
Common senior human resources specialist skills
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Develop Recommendations, 5%
  • Provide Technical Assistance, 5%

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