Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

People in this career compile and maintain essential personnel files. On a daily basis, they record employee data such as addresses, earnings, absences, performance reports, and termination details. They also search files to provide information to authorized individuals and prepare employment reports.

To succeed, assistants must be skilled in active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing. The work requires strong administrative, customer service, and personnel knowledge. Because the role involves processing sensitive information, workers must show high levels of dependability, attention to detail, integrity, and cooperation. Day-to-day activities revolve around organizing and prioritizing tasks, communicating with colleagues, and working with computers to document information. Evaluating records to ensure they comply with organizational standards is also a key part of the job. This career strongly appeals to individuals with conventional interests who enjoy structured, detail-oriented tasks.

To enter this field, individuals typically need an associate's degree. The occupation is classified as requiring medium preparation, which often includes vocational training, an associate degree, or related work experience. Students preparing for this career often major in business operations support and assistant services or human resources management and services.

While not always mandatory, some states list a license for this work. Professionals can also pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Available credentials include the Certified Compensation Professional, Certified Executive Compensation Professional, and Certified Sales Compensation Professional, all offered by WorldatWork. Other options include the Certified Outsourcing Professional - Outsourcing Governance and the Certified Outsourcing Specialist- Foundation Principles, both offered by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals.

In 2025, the median annual pay for these assistants was $50,610. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $37,340 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $68,280. There were 90,220 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to decline by -6.2 percent. Despite this projected decrease in total jobs, the field is still expected to generate 7,900 job openings each year.