Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources technician

The differences between payroll & human resources assistants and human resources technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a payroll & human resources assistant has an average salary of $41,680, which is higher than the $40,933 average annual salary of a human resources technician.

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 technician are human resources, customer service, and data entry.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources technician overview

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Technician
Yearly salary	$41,680	$40,933
Hourly rate	$20.04	$19.68
Growth rate	-3%	-
Number of jobs	45,318	39,846
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
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 technician do?

A human resources technician is primarily responsible for performing clerical support tasks in a human resources office. Their duty revolves around preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, reviewing requirements and applications, participating in planning and executing HR projects and programs, and gathering information as necessary. They must also update and maintain a database, making sure everything is running smoothly. Should there be any issues or inquiries, it is crucial to address and resolve them right away. Furthermore, a human resources technician may participate in the hiring processes, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources technician salary

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

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Technician
Average salary	$41,680	$40,933
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Pennsauken, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Compunetix	PayPal
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Government

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

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

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources technician demographics

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

	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant	Human Resources Technician
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%	Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	10%	15%

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

Manage KRONOS time reporting leave tracking and relate policy for a department, division or section.
Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Develop and implement a training module on payroll and FMLA for new managers.
Conduct KRONOS, digital database and digital recorder training on an as need basis.
Enter all benefit data into PeopleSoft application.
Generate initial paperwork for FMLA and short/long term disability.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs human resources technician 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 technician skills

Human Resources, 15%
Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 6%
HRIS, 6%
Payroll System, 6%
Personnel Actions, 6%

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Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Payroll & Human Resources Assistant vs Human Resources Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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