Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resource specialist

The differences between payroll & human resources assistants and human resource specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a payroll & human resources assistant, becoming a human resource specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resource specialist has an average salary of $53,143, which is higher than the $41,680 average annual salary of a payroll & human resources assistant.

The top three skills for a payroll & human resources assistant include data entry, assist human resources and background checks. The most important skills for a human resource specialist are data entry, oversight, and life insurance.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resource specialist overview

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resource Specialist
Yearly salary	$41,680	$53,143
Hourly rate	$20.04	$25.55
Growth rate	-3%	8%
Number of jobs	45,318	50,511
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	48	41
Years of experience	4	6

What does a payroll & human resources assistant do?

The main duty of a Payroll & Human Resources Assistant is to provide payroll information through collecting time and attendance records. They also answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other important information.

What does a human resource specialist do?

A human resources specialist is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and staffing process. Duties of a human resources specialist include updating the requirements and qualifications of a job post, handling employees' inquiries regarding compensation and benefits, maintaining employees' records, updating the status of new joiners, tracking performance reviews, and generating reports as business requires. A human resource specialist must be detail-oriented, as well as excellent in organizational and communication skills. Additionally, a human resource specialist must have a broad knowledge of the recruitment process and structure.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resource specialist salary

Payroll & human resources assistants and human resource specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resource Specialist
Average salary	$41,680	$53,143
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $36,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Compunetix	Meta
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Government

Differences between payroll & human resources assistant and human resource specialist education

There are a few differences between a payroll & human resources assistant and a human resource specialist in terms of educational background:

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resource Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resource specialist demographics

Here are the differences between payroll & human resources assistants' and human resource specialists' demographics:

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resource Specialist
Average age	48	41
Gender ratio	Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%	Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	9%

Differences between payroll & human resources assistant and human resource specialist duties and responsibilities

Payroll & human resources assistant example responsibilities.

Manage and track PTO eligibility.
Manage new employee orientation training, including e-verify.
Update HRIS system with election updates, notify carriers of changes and perform reconciliation of payroll deductions with vendor invoices.
Streamline and update payroll processes and procedures in addition to implementing new time and attendance systems, HRIS and record keeping.
Work on Microsoft outlook, word, excel, KRONOS timekeeper and other programs on AS400.
Maintain attendance tracking system by recording employee tardy/absentee information, vacation hours earn and used, and FMLA time used.

Human resource specialist example responsibilities.

Manage site KRONOS payroll, time and attendance, and vacation tracking for hourly.
Manage new hire and current employee paperwork that includes status change forms, W-4s, I-9s, etc.
Lead a compliance initiative to ensure successful transition to the e-Verify employment verification process.
Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Advise, coach, and counsele managers and Sr.
Assist with affirmative action reporting, VETS100 and EEO-1 submission.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resource specialist skills

Common payroll & human resources assistant skills

Data Entry, 6%
Assist Human Resources, 6%
Background Checks, 6%
ADP Payroll, 5%
Payroll Processing, 5%
Payroll System, 5%

Common human resource specialist skills

Data Entry, 10%
Oversight, 9%
Life Insurance, 9%
Human Resources Policies, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Timekeeping, 5%

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Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Payroll & Human Resources Assistant vs Human Resource Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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