Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources clerk

The differences between payroll & human resources assistants and human resources clerks 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 resources clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a payroll & human resources assistant has an average salary of $41,680, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.

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 resources clerk are data entry, customer service, and background checks.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources clerk overview

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Clerk
Yearly salary	$41,680	$35,149
Hourly rate	$20.04	$16.90
Growth rate	-3%	-
Number of jobs	45,318	107,374
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	4	2

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 resources clerk do?

A human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries. Besides participating in the hiring process, a human resources clerk also has administrative duties such as maintaining employee information and records, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, and assisting newly hired employees. This is all done in adherence to a company's policies and regulations.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources clerk salary

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

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Clerk
Average salary	$41,680	$35,149
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Auburn, NY
Highest paying state	New York	Oregon
Best paying company	Compunetix	University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Government

Differences between payroll & human resources assistant and human resources clerk education

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

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

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources clerk demographics

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

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Clerk
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	10%	15%

Differences between payroll & human resources assistant and human resources clerk 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 resources clerk example responsibilities.

Manage mail, postage, bank deposits and FedEx runs, etc.
Manage timesheets for payroll, account for all employees, and enter information into QuickBooks.
Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
Enter all payroll/timekeeping information into payroll system, including leave slips for vacations, flex time, bereavement and/or FMLA.
Utilize the Kronos system to retrieve time bank information, alter hours for correction, verify accurate processing.
Track all 2nd and 3rd shift attendance by running reports in Kronos and transferring attendance data into PeopleSoft.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources clerk 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 resources clerk skills

Data Entry, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
Background Checks, 7%
I-9, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Payroll & Human Resources Assistant vs Human Resources Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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