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Human resources generalist/manager vs senior human resources specialist

The differences between human resources generalist/managers and senior human resources specialists 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 senior human resources specialist. Additionally, a human resources generalist/manager has an average salary of $77,353, which is higher than the $63,956 average annual salary of a senior human resources specialist.

The top three skills for a human resources generalist/manager include payroll processing, performance management and HRIS. The most important skills for a senior human resources specialist are payroll, customer service, and HRIS.

Human resources generalist/manager vs senior human resources specialist overview

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerSenior Human Resources Specialist
Yearly salary$77,353$63,956
Hourly rate$37.19$30.75
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs46,68246,316
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4741
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 senior human resources specialist do?

A senior human resources specialist is responsible for monitoring the human resources operations of an organization, managing employment processes and policies, and handling staffing needs and concerns. Senior human resources specialists design training and programs to maintain staff's efficiency and maximize the employees' productivity to support business functional operations. They also coordinate with management leaders to identify their hiring needs, evaluating their specifications for recruitment. A senior human resources specialist reviews the company's policies and guidelines regularly, adjusting procedures according to state regulations and business requirements.

Human resources generalist/manager vs senior human resources specialist salary

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

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average salary$77,353$63,956
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $107,000Between $45,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyAmazonEdwards Lifesciences
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between human resources generalist/manager and senior human resources specialist education

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

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerSenior Human Resources Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resources generalist/manager vs senior human resources specialist demographics

Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and senior human resources specialists' demographics:

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average age4741
Gender ratioMale, 25.5% Female, 74.5%Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage18%9%

Differences between human resources generalist/manager and senior human resources specialist 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

Senior human resources specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead annual EEO-1 reporting team.
  • Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
  • Maintain and update personnel records in Peoplesoft and Kronos computer programs.
  • Participate in regular system updates as well as providing data integrity and functionality in a global HRIS environment.
  • Process I9's through HireRight.
  • Experience in Microsoft office products and payroll/personnel systems such as Lawson and KRONOS.
  • Show more

Human resources generalist/manager vs senior human resources specialist 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 senior human resources specialist skills
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Develop Recommendations, 5%
  • Provide Technical Assistance, 5%

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