What Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants"; "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"; "Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information"; "Examine employee files to answer inquiries and provide information for personnel actions"; "Gather personnel records from other departments or employees".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is associate's degree.
Job outlook for Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 96,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 90,500 in 2035, a decrease of 6,000 jobs (-6.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,610, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $54,742 in New York to $55,529 in New Jersey, a gap of $787 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $50,610 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 10,990, which is 52.5% of the 20,930 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 9,940.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($55,529) and New York ($54,742) lead the ranking, while New York ($54,742) and New Jersey ($55,529) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-4000) include Brokerage Clerks, Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs, Court, Municipal, and License Clerks and Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan.
Frequently asked questions about Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
What is the national median wage for Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $50,610. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $54,742 to $55,529.
Which state pays Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $55,529. New York is next at $54,742.
What is the job outlook for Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 6.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,900 openings a year.
What education do Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping need?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree, according to BLS.