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The differences between human resources generalist/managers and human resources leads 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 lead. Additionally, a human resources lead has an average salary of $102,531, 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 lead are project management, employee engagement, and customer service.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $77,353 | $102,531 |
| Hourly rate | $37.19 | $49.29 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 46,682 | 48,122 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 Resource Leader is responsible for achieving set goals for the HR department. Their duties include implementing strategies as well as recruiting, training, and keeping highly skilled employees.
Human resources generalist/managers and human resources leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Lead | |
| Average salary | $77,353 | $102,531 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $107,000 | Between $63,000 And $165,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Mayer Brown |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a human resources generalist/manager and a human resources lead in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and human resources leads' demographics:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Lead | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| 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% |