Human resources generalist vs senior human resources manager

The differences between human resources generalists and senior human resources managers 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 senior human resources manager. Additionally, a senior human resources manager has an average salary of $102,806, 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 senior human resources manager are performance management, employee engagement, and SR.

Human resources generalist vs senior human resources manager overview

	Human Resources Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Yearly salary	$56,159	$102,806
Hourly rate	$27.00	$49.43
Growth rate	8%	7%
Number of jobs	44,365	46,602
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	41	47
Years of experience	6	6

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 senior human resources manager do?

As a senior human resources manager, you are responsible for the overall management of human resources involving talent acquisition, performance management, and training and development. You will also handle compensation and benefits, employee services and industrial relations, and personnel administration to ensure a sustainable complement to the company's business operation requirements. It is also part of your role to review, plan, and provide general direction on employee relations programs and activities. The senior human resources manager also does an adequate review of company rules, regulations, and code of conduct and ensures the implementation of employee training and development programs.

Human resources generalist vs senior human resources manager salary

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

	Human Resources Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average salary	$56,159	$102,806
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $76,000	Between $73,000 And $143,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Nevada
Best paying company	Microsoft	Bain & Company
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between human resources generalist and senior human resources manager education

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

	Human Resources Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Northwestern University

Human resources generalist vs senior human resources manager demographics

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

	Human Resources Generalist	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average age	41	47
Gender ratio	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%	Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	18%

Differences between human resources generalist and senior human resources manager 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.

Senior human resources manager example responsibilities.

Spearhead HRIS initiatives; transition to new applicant tracking system and develop leads database that strengthen recruitment pipeline.
Administer employee action issues including disciplinary procedures, promotions, retention, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
Prevent litigation by thoroughly investigating numerous harassment, discrimination, and other EEO cases.
Expand functionality to meet enhance reporting needs relate to payroll accruals and performance measurements.
Implement total quality management initiative by moving FMLA administration from 3rd party outsourcing to in-house.
Create automated offer letters and appropriate HRIS documentation for transfers, eliminating additional recruitment and operational support.

Human resources generalist vs senior human resources manager skills

Common human resources generalist skills

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

Common senior human resources manager skills

Performance Management, 10%
Employee Engagement, 6%
SR, 5%
HRIS, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Succession Planning, 4%

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Human Resources Generalist vs Senior Human Resources Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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