Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
SOC code 43-4161 · O*NET-SOC 43-4161.00 · Medium preparation needed · Office and administration
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,610
a year
Hourly
$24.33
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$52,250
$25.12 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,030 – $59,800
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,340 – $68,280
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
90,220
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,340
- $17.95/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,030
- $21.17/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,610
- $24.33/hr
- 75th percentile
- $59,800
- $28.75/hr
- 90th percentile
- $68,280
- $32.83/hr
What do human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.
- Record data for each employee, including such information as addresses, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports on performance, and dates of and reasons for terminations.
- Interview job applicants to obtain and verify information used to screen and evaluate them.
- Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
- Process and review employment applications to evaluate qualifications or eligibility of applicants.
- Inform job applicants of their acceptance or rejection of employment.
- Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker's compensation plans.
- Select applicants meeting specified job requirements and refer them to hiring personnel.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 34% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree34%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree27%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21%
- Some College Courses11%
Common questions
How much does a human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping earn?
The national median is $50,610 a year. The full range runs from $37,340 at the 10th percentile to $68,280 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Writing3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Personnel and Human Resources4.4/5
- Administrative4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Time Management, Coordination.