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Human resources internship vs human resources consultant

The differences between human resources interns and human resources consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a human resources internship, becoming a human resources consultant takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resources consultant has an average salary of $71,882, which is higher than the $32,702 average annual salary of a human resources internship.

The top three skills for a human resources internship include resources intern, powerpoint and customer service. The most important skills for a human resources consultant are performance management, shared services, and workforce planning.

Human resources internship vs human resources consultant overview

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Consultant
Yearly salary$32,702$71,882
Hourly rate$15.72$34.56
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs88,82652,761
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4347
Years of experience26

What does a human resources internship do?

A human resources intern is responsible for assisting the human resources department in daily operations under a direct supervisor. Duties of a human resources intern include reviewing job postings and qualifications, updating employees' information in the database, scheduling candidate interviews, responding to employees' concerns, processing payroll disputes, and reiterating the company's policies and procedures. A human resources intern must be detail-oriented and a fast-learner and display excellent communication and organizational skills to be familiarized with the management operations.

What does a human resources consultant do?

A human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.

Human resources internship vs human resources consultant salary

Human resources interns and human resources consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Consultant
Average salary$32,702$71,882
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $53,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityLacey, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Jersey
Best paying companyKLAEli Lilly and Company
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between human resources internship and human resources consultant education

There are a few differences between a human resources internship and a human resources consultant in terms of educational background:

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources internship vs human resources consultant demographics

Here are the differences between human resources interns' and human resources consultants' demographics:

Human Resources InternshipHuman Resources Consultant
Average age4347
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage15%18%

Differences between human resources internship and human resources consultant duties and responsibilities

Human resources internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage the background process while maintaining the applicant tracking system (ICIMS).
  • Maintain and manage all confidential documents including offer letters, I9 documentation, vendor and equity agreements.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Ensure the completion of all new hire paperwork and entry into HRIS, timekeeping, and e-Verify systems.
  • Improve the presentation process by reformulating overhead projection slides to PowerPoint slides for orientation, open enrollment and other benefits information.
  • Assist in payroll process using KRONOS system.
  • Show more

Human resources consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Advise management on disciplinary actions, compensation, performance management, FMLA issues, and daily policy and procedural interpretation.
  • Handle UN employment claims, safety meetings, and key OSHA information.
  • Prepare cross-check system to ensure compliance with OSHA, EEOC and ADA.
  • Develop payroll relations with ADP and provide application training.
  • Conduct orientations to managers and supervisors on EEO federal/local regulations.
  • Show more

Human resources internship vs human resources consultant skills

Common human resources internship skills
  • Resources Intern, 13%
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Internship Program, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
Common human resources consultant skills
  • Performance Management, 9%
  • Shared Services, 8%
  • Workforce Planning, 8%
  • Employee Engagement, 7%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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