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Human resources generalist vs human resources supervisor

The differences between human resources generalists and human resources supervisors 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 generalist and a human resources supervisor. Additionally, a human resources supervisor has an average salary of $64,757, 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 human resources supervisor are customer service, state laws, and payroll processing.

Human resources generalist vs human resources supervisor overview

Human Resources GeneralistHuman Resources Supervisor
Yearly salary$56,159$64,757
Hourly rate$27.00$31.13
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs44,36546,523
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4147
Years of experience66

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 human resources supervisor do?

A human resources supervisor is an individual responsible for developing and administering human resources programs so that the company can achieve efficient operations. Human resources supervisors coordinate all stages of the hiring process, such as checking all candidates' backgrounds, conducting interviews, and drug screening. They address conflicts among employees, investigate employee problems, and work with management to administer employee discipline or corrective action. The human resources supervisor also develops training and development programs for their salaried employees.

Human resources generalist vs human resources supervisor salary

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

Human Resources GeneralistHuman Resources Supervisor
Average salary$56,159$64,757
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $76,000Between $47,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyMicrosoftGenentech
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between human resources generalist and human resources supervisor education

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

Human Resources GeneralistHuman Resources Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources generalist vs human resources supervisor demographics

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

Human Resources GeneralistHuman Resources Supervisor
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 20.5% Female, 79.5%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%18%

Differences between human resources generalist and human resources supervisor 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.
  • Show more

Human resources supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and lead service team initiatives/special projects (i.e., ADP conversion, corporate mergers, and teamwork events).
  • Manage HRIS database system and provide monthly reports to executive management.
  • Manage job-reclassification project, conducting occupational research to determine if job titles are synchronized with FLSA norms.
  • Utilize KRONOS and ADP to import and process payroll.
  • Review all exempt positions to determine classification and conduct audits to ensure FLSA compliance.
  • Maintain all company leave of absence (including work-relate injuries, non work-relate leaves and FMLA, etc .).
  • Show more

Human resources generalist vs human resources supervisor skills

Common human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 9%
  • Performance Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 3%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 3%
Common human resources supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • State Laws, 9%
  • Payroll Processing, 5%
  • Personnel Actions, 4%
  • HRIS, 4%
  • ISO, 3%

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