Payroll specialist vs payroll & human resources assistant

The differences between payroll specialists 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 specialist and a payroll & human resources assistant. Additionally, a payroll specialist has an average salary of $46,462, which is higher than the $41,680 average annual salary of a payroll & human resources assistant.

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

Payroll specialist vs payroll & human resources assistant overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Yearly salary	$46,462	$41,680
Hourly rate	$22.34	$20.04
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	45,318
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

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 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 specialist vs payroll & human resources assistant salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Average salary	$46,462	$41,680
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $29,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New York
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	Compunetix
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll & human resources assistant education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs payroll & human resources assistant demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll & Human Resources Assistant
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%
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, 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 specialist and payroll & human resources assistant 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.

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 specialist vs payroll & human resources assistant skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

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%

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Payroll Specialist vs Payroll & Human Resources Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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