Human resources generalist vs business partner

The differences between human resources generalists and business partners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a human resources generalist, becoming a business partner takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a business partner has an average salary of $96,324, which is higher than the $56,159 average annual salary of a human resources generalist.

The top three skills for a human resources generalist include HRIS, performance management and customer service. The most important skills for a business partner are analytics, project management, and customer service.

Human resources generalist vs business partner overview

	Human Resources Generalist	Business Partner
Yearly salary	$56,159	$96,324
Hourly rate	$27.00	$46.31
Growth rate	8%	10%
Number of jobs	44,365	106,251
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	6	10

What does a human resources generalist do?

A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.

What does a business partner do?

A business partner is an individual who is involved in a legal business partnership with other individuals to manage a business as co-owners. Business partners invest their money into the business, and each partner benefits from any profits and sustains part of any losses. They must file with the state in which they do business and are governed mostly by state laws. Business partners can also be either liable or not for the actions taken by the company.

Human resources generalist vs business partner salary

Human resources generalists and business partners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Human Resources Generalist	Business Partner
Average salary	$56,159	$96,324
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $76,000	Between $66,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	Microsoft	ZS
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between human resources generalist and business partner education

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

	Human Resources Generalist	Business Partner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Georgia

Human resources generalist vs business partner demographics

Here are the differences between human resources generalists' and business partners' demographics:

	Human Resources Generalist	Business Partner
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%	Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	10%

Differences between human resources generalist and business partner duties and responsibilities

Human resources generalist example responsibilities.

Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.

Business partner example responsibilities.

Manage publicity online, in medias such as Facebook and Instagram.
Negotiate and manage vendor relations using SLA's and metric management.
Lead the establishment of key ERP, database and java applications environments.
Implement and manage social media strategies and blog content as well as customer relationships on Salesforce.com.
Lead all operational, financial and customer relationship aspects of MMI's largest global OEM customer, IBM.
Plan, manage, supervise and lead the development, QA, UAT and deployment efforts towards on time delivery.

Human resources generalist vs business partner skills

Common human resources generalist skills

HRIS, 9%
Performance Management, 7%
Customer Service, 5%
Exit Interviews, 4%
Payroll Processing, 3%
Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

Common business partner skills

Analytics, 8%
Project Management, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Human Resources, 5%
Performance Management, 5%
Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

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Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalist vs Business Partner

Updated January 8, 2025

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