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Senior human resources assistant vs human resources generalist

The differences between senior human resources assistants and human resources generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior human resources assistant, becoming a human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human resources generalist has an average salary of $56,159, which is higher than the $39,874 average annual salary of a senior human resources assistant.

The top three skills for a senior human resources assistant include customer service, HRIS and process improvement. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Senior human resources assistant vs human resources generalist overview

Senior Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$39,874$56,159
Hourly rate$19.17$27.00
Growth rate-8%
Number of jobs39,90144,365
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4341
Years of experience26

What does a senior human resources assistant do?

Senior Human Resources Assistants are junior-level employees in the human resources department of an organization. They are usually in-charge of administrative or clerical activities of the department. They update records, manage documents, and ensure that all department-related information is kept confidential. They also handle tasks related to different facets of human resources such as recruitment, total rewards, or employee relations. They may be asked to lead specific activities or projects related to human resources facets as a way to train them for bigger roles.

What does a human resources generalist do?

A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.

Senior human resources assistant vs human resources generalist salary

Senior human resources assistants and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Generalist
Average salary$39,874$56,159
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $50,000Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between senior human resources assistant and human resources generalist education

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

Senior Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior human resources assistant vs human resources generalist demographics

Here are the differences between senior human resources assistants' and human resources generalists' demographics:

Senior Human Resources AssistantHuman Resources Generalist
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 11.6% Female, 88.4%Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.0% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%9%

Differences between senior human resources assistant and human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Senior human resources assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage e-mail for SVP by reviewing and identifying critical areas requiring attention.
  • Enter hours adjustments, vacation, holiday pay and sick pay into Kronos.
  • Maintain employee records in PeopleSoft, process new hires, terminations, lay off status and leaves.
  • Process and maintain weekly payroll hours for all hourly employees using the timekeeper system Kronos & ADP.
  • Utilize PeopleSoft for maintaining all employee data, entering new employees, issuing time cards, and pulling reports.
  • Complete entries to the HRIS, including benefit enrollment, employee status changes, and changes to addresses and emergency contacts.
  • Show more

Human resources generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
  • Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
  • Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
  • Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
  • Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
  • Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.
  • Show more

Senior human resources assistant vs human resources generalist skills

Common senior human resources assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • HRIS, 11%
  • Process Improvement, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 9%
  • Data Integrity, 8%
  • FC, 7%
Common human resources generalist skills
  • HRIS, 9%
  • Performance Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 3%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

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