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Personnel assistant vs human resources administrative assistant

The differences between personnel assistants and human resources administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a personnel assistant, becoming a human resources administrative assistant takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a personnel assistant has an average salary of $38,830, which is higher than the $37,044 average annual salary of a human resources administrative assistant.

The top three skills for a personnel assistant include human resources, data entry and office equipment. The most important skills for a human resources administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and background checks.

Personnel assistant vs human resources administrative assistant overview

Personnel AssistantHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$38,830$37,044
Hourly rate$18.67$17.81
Growth rate-8%
Number of jobs6,68472,861
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4341
Years of experience26

What does a personnel assistant do?

Personnel assistants are professionals who perform administrative duties while assisting the human resources director to maintain and keep the records and confidential files of employees working in an organization. These assistants must communicate with all personnel about their compensation policies while ensuring that the company policies and procedures are consistently applied. They are required to coordinate with supervisors to create job descriptions and develop recruiting advertisements. Personnel assistants must also purchase office supplies while maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of their office area.

What does a human resources administrative assistant do?

A human resources administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative tasks such as gathering and processing necessary documentation, preparing timely reports and evaluations, arranging schedules, maintaining and monitoring record databases, and responding to inquiries. Aside from assisting human resource officers in their tasks, they can also lend a hand in screening and training new workforce members. Furthermore, because a human resources administrative assistant holds the employee database, they need to coordinate with other departments and employees to ensure that everyone receives what is needed.

Personnel assistant vs human resources administrative assistant salary

Personnel assistants and human resources administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Personnel AssistantHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Average salary$38,830$37,044
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $51,000Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityMonterey, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonEmory University
Best paying industryNon ProfitsTechnology

Differences between personnel assistant and human resources administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between a personnel assistant and a human resources administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Personnel AssistantHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Personnel assistant vs human resources administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between personnel assistants' and human resources administrative assistants' demographics:

Personnel AssistantHuman Resources Administrative Assistant
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 18.5% Female, 81.5%Male, 9.3% Female, 90.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 9.1% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 7.7% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%9%

Differences between personnel assistant and human resources administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Personnel assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage new employee orientation training, including e-verify.
  • Maintain employee's timekeeping and personnel records.
  • Coordinate staff reports, monthly activity, insurance updates and EEO activity.
  • Record data for each employee, including absences, coaching and timekeeping.
  • Maintain and handle confidential information such as grievances, EEO relate matters, etc.
  • Create and maintain a database for the sick line, FMLA tracking, payroll document tracking, and benefit adjustment tracking.
  • Show more

Human resources administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage unemployment verification process and enter employee changes into PeopleSoft.
  • Labor hours, PTO, accident reports and training records are all track through data entry and issuance of reports.
  • Handle and make necessary changes to payroll processes/system daily by using KRONOS.
  • Enter and balance payroll, certify payroll and send ACH file to bank.
  • Assist with the instruction and training of new associates regarding KRONOS punches, attendance policies, and payroll incentive programs.
  • Submit employment of identification per e-verify.
  • Show more

Personnel assistant vs human resources administrative assistant skills

Common personnel assistant skills
  • Human Resources, 16%
  • Data Entry, 13%
  • Office Equipment, 7%
  • CAC, 5%
  • Personnel Actions, 4%
  • Background Checks, 4%
Common human resources administrative assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Background Checks, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • HRIS, 4%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%

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