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The differences between human resources generalists and human resources technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $40,933 average annual salary of a human resources technician.
The top three skills for a human resources generalist include HRIS, performance management and customer service. The most important skills for a human resources technician are human resources, customer service, and data entry.
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $56,159 | $40,933 |
| Hourly rate | $27.00 | $19.68 |
| Growth rate | 8% | - |
| Number of jobs | 44,365 | 39,846 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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 technician is primarily responsible for performing clerical support tasks in a human resources office. Their duty revolves around preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, reviewing requirements and applications, participating in planning and executing HR projects and programs, and gathering information as necessary. They must also update and maintain a database, making sure everything is running smoothly. Should there be any issues or inquiries, it is crucial to address and resolve them right away. Furthermore, a human resources technician may participate in the hiring processes, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Human resources generalists and human resources technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,159 | $40,933 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Pennsauken, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | PayPal |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a human resources generalist and a human resources technician in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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 technicians' demographics:
| Human Resources Generalist | Human Resources Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5% | Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0% |
| 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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 15% |