Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping earn a median salary of $49,440 per year, ranking in the top 63% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -7.1% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping earn?

The median annual wage for human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is $49,440. That puts human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping at #513 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is -7.1%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 95K positions in 2024 to 88K in 2034, a net change of -7K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
2. 2.Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.
3. 3.Prepare and set up for new employee orientations.
4. 4.Gather personnel records from other departments or employees.
5. 5.Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker's compensation plans.
6. 6.Search employee files to obtain information for authorized persons and organizations, such as credit bureaus and finance companies.
7. 7.Compile and prepare reports and documents pertaining to personnel activities.
8. 8.Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.

Top skills for human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?

Many human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $74,260 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $66,140 median
• Brokerage Clerks
  $62,940 median
• Postal Service Clerks
  $61,630 median
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  $57,770 median
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
  $57,490 median

Common questions parents ask about human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping