Payroll specialist vs human resource specialist

The differences between payroll specialists 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 specialist, 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 $46,462 average annual salary of a payroll specialist.

The top three skills for a payroll specialist include customer service, data entry and payroll data. The most important skills for a human resource specialist are data entry, oversight, and life insurance.

Payroll specialist vs human resource specialist overview

	Payroll Specialist	Human Resource Specialist
Yearly salary	$46,462	$53,143
Hourly rate	$22.34	$25.55
Growth rate	-3%	8%
Number of jobs	6,609	50,511
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	48	41
Years of experience	4	6

What does a payroll specialist do?

It is the primary duty of a payroll specialist to process payroll and maintain an accurate record of the personnel database and ensure employees are paid on time. Payroll specialists are in charge of addressing and resolving employee complaints regarding wages. Also, they manage the company's budget and expenses and prepare reports for the relevant departments. Those with a bachelor's degree in business or accounting are preferred to get the job. Candidates with related job experience and strong knowledge of tax, wage laws, and a good understanding of standard fiscal procedures are highly qualified for the position.

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 specialist vs human resource specialist salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Human Resource Specialist
Average salary	$46,462	$53,143
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $36,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Government

Differences between payroll specialist and human resource specialist education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Human Resource Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs human resource specialist demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Human Resource Specialist
Average age	48	41
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 26.9% Female, 73.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.5% 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 specialist and human resource specialist duties and responsibilities

Payroll specialist example responsibilities.

Manage a bi-weekly payroll in accordance with establish processes, including auditing timekeeping records for compliance with establish standards and policies.
Handle all FMLA, insurance, employee benefits and processing the payroll on bi-weekly bases through the KRONOS timekeeping system.
Utilize KRONOS for timekeeping and to administer security access.
Prepare payroll journal entry and provide guidance in general ledger reconciliations pertaining to payroll general ledger accounts and labor expense distribution
Establish new hires in the KRONOS timekeeping system and provide guidance and assistance to associates to communicate their responsibilities regarding payroll/timekeeping.
Input employee data into Lawson payroll program while using the utmost integrity to keep information confidential.

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 specialist vs human resource specialist skills

Common payroll specialist skills

Customer Service, 13%
Data Entry, 7%
Payroll Data, 5%
Human Resources, 4%
ADP Workforce, 4%
Kronos, 3%

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 Specialist
Payroll Specialist vs Human Resource Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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