What Do Human Resources Assistant Do?
Example of HR Assistant Job Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.
Life As a HR Assistant: What Do They Do?
- Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker’s compensation plans.
- Select applicants meeting specified job requirements and refer them to hiring personnel.
- Prepare and set up for new employee orientations.
- Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.
- Inform job applicants of their acceptance or rejection of employment.
- Arrange for in-house and external training activities.
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HR Assistant Required Skills
Human Resources Assistants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Human Resources Assistant
- Temporary Help Agency Referral Clerk
- Human Resources Team Member
- Human Resources Assistant (HR Assistant)
- Benefits Clerk
- Benefits Coordinator
Job Outlook for Human Resources Assistants
In the United States, there were 141,500 jobs for Human Resources Assistant in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Human Resources Assistant. The BLS estimates 15,100 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for HR Assistant are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a HR Assistant
Human Resources Assistants make between $27,610 and $58,200 a year.

Human Resources Assistants who work in District of Columbia, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Human Resources Assistants make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $37,450 |
Alaska | $46,110 |
Arizona | $40,620 |
Arkansas | $36,610 |
California | $44,600 |
Colorado | $43,640 |
Connecticut | $48,410 |
Delaware | $38,120 |
District of Columbia | $53,560 |
Florida | $38,210 |
Georgia | $39,340 |
Hawaii | $41,590 |
Idaho | $39,420 |
Illinois | $41,220 |
Indiana | $38,720 |
Iowa | $40,390 |
Kansas | $38,730 |
Kentucky | $41,380 |
Louisiana | $38,740 |
Maine | $39,920 |
Maryland | $45,030 |
Massachusetts | $47,380 |
Michigan | $38,160 |
Minnesota | $43,030 |
Mississippi | $37,630 |
Missouri | $40,940 |
Montana | $37,570 |
Nebraska | $39,890 |
Nevada | $37,610 |
New Hampshire | $40,570 |
New Jersey | $43,780 |
New Mexico | $38,490 |
New York | $45,260 |
North Carolina | $38,270 |
North Dakota | $41,520 |
Ohio | $39,540 |
Oklahoma | $40,040 |
Oregon | $42,190 |
Pennsylvania | $40,550 |
Rhode Island | $42,770 |
South Carolina | $36,000 |
South Dakota | $34,810 |
Tennessee | $40,460 |
Texas | $40,080 |
Utah | $40,290 |
Vermont | $39,460 |
Virginia | $43,240 |
Washington | $45,100 |
West Virginia | $38,560 |
Wisconsin | $39,290 |
Wyoming | $38,420 |
What Tools do Human Resources Assistants Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Human Resources Assistants:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Human resource management software HRMS
How to Become a HR Assistant
Education needed to be a Human Resources Assistant:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Human Resources Assistants Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Human Resources Assistant may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Human Resources Assistant in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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