Payroll manager vs payroll & human resources assistant

The differences between payroll managers and payroll & human resources assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a payroll manager and a payroll & human resources assistant. Additionally, a payroll manager has an average salary of $86,147, which is higher than the $41,680 average annual salary of a payroll & human resources assistant.

The top three skills for a payroll manager include customer service, human resources and payroll system. The most important skills for a payroll & human resources assistant are data entry, assist human resources, and background checks.

Payroll manager vs payroll & human resources assistant overview

	Payroll Manager	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Yearly salary	$86,147	$41,680
Hourly rate	$41.42	$20.04
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,972	45,318
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does a payroll manager do?

A payroll manager is responsible for monitoring the payment process of all employees. Payroll managers oversee payroll records, reviewing calculable taxes and other deductions, creating a comprehensive summary of payroll details, managing payroll discrepancies, and releasing payroll checks through the organization's payment method. They must also follow strict procedures on legal requirements and tax obligations. A payroll manager must have excellent analytical and communication skills, especially on responding to the employees' inquiries and concerns, as well as managing the performance of the payroll staff.

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.

Payroll manager vs payroll & human resources assistant salary

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

	Payroll Manager	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Average salary	$86,147	$41,680
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $117,000	Between $29,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Ep Energy	Compunetix
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between payroll manager and payroll & human resources assistant education

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

	Payroll Manager	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll manager vs payroll & human resources assistant demographics

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

	Payroll Manager	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 22.0% Female, 78.0%	Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	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%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll manager and payroll & human resources assistant duties and responsibilities

Payroll manager example responsibilities.

Manage accounting and finance operations including A/R, A/P and general accounting, etc.
Manage annual W2 reconciliation and distribution.
Manage expatriates compensation packages and taxation.
Coordinate department conversion of manual payroll system to KRONOS automate time and attendance system.
Save the company $5,500 by learning ADP and creating payroll accruals and profiles to accurately record employee PTO time profiles.
Process payroll utilizing ADP payroll system

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.

Payroll manager vs payroll & human resources assistant skills

Common payroll manager skills

Customer Service, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll System, 5%
Payroll Tax, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Reconciliations, 4%

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%

Payroll Manager vs. similar jobs

Payroll Manager related careers

Payroll Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Payroll Manager
Payroll Manager vs Payroll & Human Resources Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs