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The differences between human resources generalists and human resources clerks 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 human resources clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.
The top three skills for a human resources generalist include HRIS, performance management and customer service. The most important skills for a human resources clerk are data entry, customer service, and background checks.
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $56,159 | $35,149 |
| Hourly rate | $27.00 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | 8% | - |
| Number of jobs | 44,365 | 107,374 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
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.
Human resources generalists and human resources clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Clerk | |
| Average salary | $56,159 | $35,149 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $27,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Auburn, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | University of Massachusetts Boston |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a human resources generalist and a human resources clerk in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between human resources generalists' and human resources clerks' demographics:
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Clerk | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5% | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 15% |