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Human resources generalist/manager vs human resources business partner

The differences between human resources generalist/managers and human resources business partners 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 human resources business partner. Additionally, a human resources business partner has an average salary of $86,363, 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 human resources business partner are employee engagement, HRBP, and succession planning.

Human resources generalist/manager vs human resources business partner overview

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerHuman Resources Business Partner
Yearly salary$77,353$86,363
Hourly rate$37.19$41.52
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs46,682103,520
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a human resources generalist/manager do?

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.

What does a human resources business partner do?

Human resource (HR) business partners' primary job is to ensure that business objectives are aligned with the management and employees within an organization. They typically focus more on developing HR strategy than implementing the company policies. They often work with individual business units, and their work is related to the company's current and future success. HR business partners are also responsible for providing performance management guidance, developing contract terms for new employees, transfers, and promotions, and providing advice on business units.

Human resources generalist/manager vs human resources business partner salary

Human resources generalist/managers and human resources business partners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerHuman Resources Business Partner
Average salary$77,353$86,363
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $107,000Between $62,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAmazonRopes & Gray
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources generalist/manager and human resources business partner education

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

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerHuman Resources Business Partner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources generalist/manager vs human resources business partner demographics

Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and human resources business partners' demographics:

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerHuman Resources Business Partner
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 25.5% Female, 74.5%Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage18%18%

Differences between human resources generalist/manager and human resources business partner duties and responsibilities

Human resources generalist/manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage annual open enrollment process including development of communication materials and administration of enrollment changes within HRIS and benefit providers.
  • Provide resolution of complex employee relations issues including sexual harassment, employee misconduct, ADA, and FMLA.
  • Monitor performance appraisal, LOA, FMLA, disciplinary, termination and other processes for compliance with legal and company policies.
  • Audit personnel payroll for accuracy and input confidential employee salary increases into HRIS data system.
  • Reduce employment litigation from multiple claims to minimal exposure providing counseling and leadership coaching and partnering with management on resolutions.
  • Initiate hire process utilizing PeopleSoft program.
  • Show more

Human resources business partner example responsibilities.

  • Manage the ACA with regard to variable hour employees to avoid fines and penalties.
  • Lead effort to build safety awareness and implement plans to improve working conditions while adhering to OSHA requirements.
  • Manage and audit payroll ensuring accurate timekeeping, processing adjustments, and investigating payroll discrepancies.
  • Manage HRIS system migration to ExponentHR technology platform with full employee/manager self-service eliminating multiple homegrown systems and one service provider.
  • Report to the SVP of human resources.
  • Revamp unemployment claims process and increase HRBP completion rate and decrease dollar loss due to incomplete and fraudulent claims.
  • Show more

Human resources generalist/manager vs human resources business partner skills

Common human resources generalist/manager skills
  • Payroll Processing, 10%
  • Performance Management, 8%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Disciplinary Procedures, 5%
  • Workers Compensation, 4%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
Common human resources business partner skills
  • Employee Engagement, 8%
  • HRBP, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 6%
  • Workforce Planning, 5%
  • Business Objectives, 4%
  • HRIS, 4%

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