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Human resources manager vs generalist

The differences between human resources managers and generalists 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 manager and a generalist. Additionally, a human resources manager has an average salary of $80,442, which is higher than the $46,518 average annual salary of a generalist.

The top three skills for a human resources manager include performance management, customer service and payroll processing. The most important skills for a generalist are sales floor, store sales, and customer loyalty.

Human resources manager vs generalist overview

Human Resources ManagerGeneralist
Yearly salary$80,442$46,518
Hourly rate$38.67$22.36
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs43,4538,585
Job satisfaction4.67-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a human resources manager do?

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.

What does a generalist do?

A generalist, also known as a human resource generalist, is responsible for overseeing the operations in a human resource department, focusing on employees' welfare and working conditions. They are primarily involved in the hiring and laying off processes among employees, handing training and benefits programs, and coordinating with every department in the company. Furthermore, a generalist must perform administrative tasks that mostly revolve around producing reports and processing paperwork, conducting research and analysis, and responding to correspondence.

Human resources manager vs generalist salary

Human resources managers and generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources ManagerGeneralist
Average salary$80,442$46,518
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $113,000Between $29,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyBain & CompanyMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between human resources manager and generalist education

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

Human Resources ManagerGeneralist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources manager vs generalist demographics

Here are the differences between human resources managers' and generalists' demographics:

Human Resources ManagerGeneralist
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
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 manager and generalist duties and responsibilities

Human resources manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage audit efforts to ensure compliance with OFCCP and EEOC standards
  • Manage requisitions, rout candidates and determine the disposition of each candidate using iCIMS.
  • Manage all monthly and quarterly financial statement reviews by board as well as A/R, A/P and general ledger.
  • Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
  • Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
  • Manage system upgrades, testing and documentation of enterprise-wide PeopleSoft Payroll/HRMS system.
  • Show more

Generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain PBX and VoIP phone systems at multiple locations.
  • Manage multiple lab projects for the implementation of new lab analyzers as well as LIS functionality.
  • Plan, install and manage new locations build outs with complete VPN connectivity and VOIP utilization for the multiple locations.
  • Manage UAB and HSF faculty recruitment, staffing needs, terminations, compensation, records management, employee relations and retention.
  • Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
  • Perform chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, hematology, and blood bank laboratory tests, equipment calibration and quality assurance reports.
  • Show more

Human resources manager vs generalist skills

Common human resources manager skills
  • Performance Management, 8%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Payroll Processing, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Employee Engagement, 5%
  • EEO, 4%
Common generalist skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Store Sales, 17%
  • Customer Loyalty, 14%
  • Sales Growth, 12%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Processing Customer Transactions, 4%

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