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The differences between human resources generalist/managers and directors of human resources 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/manager and a director of human resources. Additionally, a director of human resources has an average salary of $100,601, which is higher than the $77,353 average annual salary of a human resources generalist/manager.
The top three skills for a human resources generalist/manager include payroll processing, performance management and HRIS. The most important skills for a director of human resources are performance management, HRIS, and employee engagement.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Director Of Human Resources | |
| Yearly salary | $77,353 | $100,601 |
| Hourly rate | $37.19 | $48.37 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 46,682 | 46,924 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A human resource (HR) generalist performs a variety of HR functions and duties. These include recruiting and interviewing job applicants, conducting background checks and verifying employee eligibility, and implementing new employee orientation and recognition programs. In addition, you will be responsible for administering and executing HR programs, including benefits, disputes and investigations, and compensation. As an HR generalist, you are expected to provide answers to inquiries from applicants, employees, and managers. You are also expected to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws.
A human resources director is responsible for managing the overall operations of the human resources department, ensuring smooth operations while meeting the company's goals of successful profitability and services. Human resources directors' duties include providing staff consultation, addressing staffing concerns, managing compensation and benefits plans, reviewing plans for training and development programs, and reporting future actions to the management. A human resources director must have excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills to help lead the business to its growth and development.
Human resources generalist/managers and directors of human resources have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Director Of Human Resources | |
| Average salary | $77,353 | $100,601 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $107,000 | Between $68,000 And $147,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Amazon | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a human resources generalist/manager and a director of human resources in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Director Of Human Resources | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and directors of human resources' demographics:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Director Of Human Resources | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5% | Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 18% | 18% |