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The differences between human resources generalist/managers and 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/manager and a human resources manager. Additionally, a human resources manager has an average salary of $80,442, 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 manager are performance management, customer service, and payroll processing.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $77,353 | $80,442 |
| Hourly rate | $37.19 | $38.67 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 46,682 | 43,453 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.67 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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.
Human resources managers, or HR managers, are responsible for the overall conduct of the different facets of human resources in the organization. They oversee the different processes involved in recruitment, compensation and benefits, talent development, organizational development, employee relations, and employee engagement. It is important that HR managers are well-versed in the different facets of HR. They set policies and procedures, as well as guiding principles of the organization related to these facets. They must be able to balance the needs of the employees and the rules of the management team. HR managers should have strong decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and management skills.
Human resources generalist/managers and human resources managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Manager | |
| Average salary | $77,353 | $80,442 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $107,000 | Between $56,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Bain & Company |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a human resources generalist/manager and a human resources manager in terms of educational background:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and human resources managers' demographics:
| Human Resources Generalist/Manager | Human Resources Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5% | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% |
| 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% |