Human resource management is a vast industry, anticipated to touch $1008 billion by 2028, as per the Global HR Services Market Analysis Report 2023.
Having been in this industry for quite some time, I have witnessed career opportunities growing unprecedently! Do you want to know how I entered this field?
For me, having a relevant bachelor’s degree and some skill training paved the way for a modest HR assistant job. And I must say, it proved to be a great way to gain hands-on experience. As it is an entry-level position, it introduced me to the intricacies of human resources. On average, my starting HR assistant salary was between $43,000 - $61,000 (Source: Glassdoor). If you are also interested in human resources, check out this salary guide I’ve compiled to help you understand what HR assistants do and their average salary in different countries, cities, and companies. Explore detailed breakdowns of HR assistant pay in the following sections, and consider enhancing your skills with online certification training.
Who is an HR Assistant?
An HR assistant is a human resource professional who helps with a company's daily administrative and human resource duties. Their assistance is required in
- Recruitment,
- Record maintenance,
- Payroll processing,
- Clerical support, etc.
HR Assistant Salary in 2024
The average HR assistant salary ranges between $43,000 - $61,000 (Source: Glassdoor). That said, the pay depends on factors like location, industry, employer, years of experience, etc. We’ll see a detailed breakdown of HR assistant pay in the following sections.
GlassdoorHR Assistant Average Salary in 2024
Here is a rough idea of the HR assistant's average salary in a tabular format.
Average Salary | Per Hour | Per Month | Per Year |
$22 | $4,560 | $54,751 |
HR Assistant Salary: Based on Experience
The human resources assistant salary varies based on years of experience as well. Typically, freshers earn less, and their salary catches up as they gain more experience. Here is a detailed analysis of salaries based on experience.
1. Beginner
Entry level HR assistant salary is around $46,389.
Glassdoor2. Intermediate
The HR assistant salary range for mid-to-senior level executives is $50,000 - $54,700.
GlassdoorGlassdoor
3. Advanced
Sr HR assistant salary ranges between $69,000 - $77,000 annually.
GlassdoorHR Assistant Salary: Based on Location
The average pay for human resources assistant also changes with location. Simply put, the average salary of an HR assistant in India is different from that in USA, UK, or any other country.
1. India
The average pay for HR assistant in top states/cities in India is as follows.
State | Average Salary (INR, annual) |
Bengaluru | 7,00,000 |
New Delhi | 7,60,000 |
Chennai | 7,25,000 |
Hyderabad | 4,68,000 |
Mumbai | 4,56,000 |
Source: Ambitionbox
Average HR assistant salary in top companies in India.
Company | Average Salary (INR, annual) |
Reliance Industries | 8,00,000 |
Tata Consultancy Services | 5,00,000 |
HDFC Bank | 3,00,000 |
Infosys | 4,80,000 |
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) | 5,00,000 |
Source: Ambitionbox
2. US
Average pay for HR assistant in top states/cities in the USA.
State | Average Salary (USD, annual) |
Rhode Island | 50,310 |
New York | 46,608 |
Washington | 45,151 |
California | 45,028 |
Maine | 44,418 |
Source: Glassdoor.co.in
Average HR assistant salaries in top companies in the USA.
Company | Average Salary (USD, annual) |
Walmart | $47,371 |
Amazon | $56,000 |
ExxonMobil | $63,000 |
Apple | $44,245 |
McKesson | $63,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
3. UK
HR assistant jobs salary in top states/cities in the UK are as follows.
State | Average Salary (Pounds, annual) |
Birmingham | 23,000 |
Cardiff | 21,000 |
Bristol | 22,248 |
Manchester | 23,544 |
Cambridge | 25,164 |
Source: Glassdoor
The salary for entry level human resources assistants in top companies in the UK are as follows.
Company | Average Salary (Pounds, annual) |
HSBC | 38,000 |
AstraZeneca | 23,540 |
Barclays | 25,000 |
Lloyds Banking Group | 36,000 |
GlaxoSmithKline | 35,000 |
Source: Glass.co.uk
4. Australia
The following table gives a rough idea of HR assistant pay rates in top cities in Australia.
States/Cities | Average Salary (A$, annual) |
Queensland | 71,000 |
Adelaide | 67,000 |
Gold Coast | 60,000 |
Melbourne | 70,000 |
Perth | 78,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
HR assistant salary in top companies in Australia:
Company | Average Salary (A$, annual) |
ANZ Bank | 1,10,000 |
BHP Group | 98,000 |
Coles Group | 52,500 |
Fortescue | 78,250 |
Commonwealth Bank | 51,000 |
5. Canada
HR assistant pay range in Canada:
States/Cities | Average Salary (C$, annual) |
Toronto | 45,500 |
Ottawa | 50,090 |
Montreal | 47,166 |
Vancouver | 51,484 |
Victoria | 47,212 |
Source: Glassdoor.ca
Average HR assistant salary in top companies in Canada:
Company | Average Salary (C$, annual) |
Royal Bank of Canada | 42,000 |
Shopify | 66,000 |
Thomson Reuters | 53,000 |
Bank of Montreal | 50,000 |
Scotiabank | 45,500 |
Source: Glassdoor.ca
6. Singapore
The human resources assistant salary range in Singapore is as follows.
States/Cities | Average Salary (SGD, annual) |
Jurong | 30,216 |
Yishun | 30,660 |
Bukit Batok | 28,800 |
Sengkang | 24,000 |
Rochor | 28,908 |
Source: Indeed
HR assistant salary in top companies in Singapore is:
Company | Average Salary (SGD, annual) |
Singapore Airlines | 33,120 |
DBS Group | 33,160 |
Singtel | 33,600 |
Wilmar International | 45,600 |
JP Morgan | 58,800 |
Source: Glassdoor
HR Assistant Salary: Based on Job Roles
The average HR assistant salary can also vary depending on the job role. This is because, with more years of experience, they become more proficient in managing human resources. Here is an HR assistant’s career path and salary estimate to give you a better idea.
Junior HR Assistant > | HR Assistant > | Sr HR Assistant > | HR Manager > | Director of HR > |
$54,000 | $72,000 | $76,000 | $1,00,700 | $1,56,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
Factors Affecting HR Assistant Salary
HR assistant salary depends on a number of factors like location, the industry they work in, years of experience, demand and supply of HR assistants in that region, certifications, skills, etc.
1. Locations
Location | HR Assistant Salary |
United States | $51,000 |
United Kingdom | £27,407 |
Canada | $48,349 |
Australia | $80,000 |
Singapore | $14,400 |
India | ₹4,20,000 |
This variation stems from the different economic conditions, cost of living, and demand and supply of workforce in respective countries.
2. Industry/employer/company
The average HR assistant's salary also varies with industry or employer. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following industries are the largest employers of HR assistants.
Industry | Average Annual Salary in Indian Rupees (₹) |
Retail Industry | 3.8 lakhs |
Healthcare and Social Services Industry, | 2.4 lakhs |
Education Industry | 2.6 lakhs |
Construction Industry | 2.7 lakhs |
Manufacturing Industry | 2.6 lakhs |
Finance and Insurance Industry | 3.1 lakhs |
Source: Ambitionbox
Further, companies like Tata Consultancy Services, Capgemini, Cognizant Technology, Deloitte, Tech Mahindra, etc., hire HR assistants in bulk.
3. Experience
Years of experience as an HR assistant also affects your salary, just like in any other field. As a beginner, you earn less because you have yet to gain practical experience and on-field knowledge. On average, a junior HR assistant's salary is around $54,000 annually, with 0-2 years of experience. The same is true for someone with 4-5 years of experience, which is around $76,000 annually (Source: Glassdoor).
4. Demand and Supply
Roles associated with HR saw a 16% jump in October 2023. A higher demand for assistant HRs gives them a competitive advantage in negotiating higher salaries. Similarly, companies often pay the industry average (₹24,000 – Source: Glassdoor) when there is a sufficient supply of HR assistants. In such a situation, the chances of negotiating a better salary are reduced. Developing skills like training, customer service, and PeopleSoft HRMS can help you raise your pay by nearly 100%.
5. Credentials/ Certifications
Having additional certifications and training can improve your candidature as an assistant HR. These credentials testify to your hands-o n experience and commitment to the field. Some of the accreditation bodies that provide certification and training in this field are:
- Human Resource Analytics Course from IIM-K
- SHRM Certification
- HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate
- Essential Skills for The HR Assistant
6. Skills
Besides a relevant educational background, skills like effective communication, knowledge of HR automation, conflict resolution, proactivity, and teamwork can positively impact the HR assistant salary.
Skills | Hourly Rate in USD |
Employes's Relation | 19 |
Data Entry | 18 |
Recruiting | 19 |
Microsoft | 18 |
Human Resource | 19 |
Source: Payscale
How to Improve HR Assistant Salary?
You can improve your chances of getting a handsome HR assistant salary by investing your time and resources in appropriate skill training, getting certified, and having multiple degrees and practical experience.
- Skills: An HR assistant must be skilled at effective communication, recruitment & advertising, conflict resolution, being a team player, and analyzing performance metrics. So gaining or honing such skills can help you advance on your HR assistant career path and expect higher salaries. You must also acquaint yourself with HR automation tools and platforms, like TalentLMS, HROne, Pingboard, etc.
- Certifications: Getting certified and having multiple certifications showcases your expertise and knowledge of the meat of the matter. These ensure you’ve completed the necessary training and are ready for the job. Additionally, you can also gain certifications in working with HR automation software, as they are now fundamental to human resource management.
- Degrees: Having a relevant educational background can help you negotiate better salaries. A bachelor's degree in human resources management (HRM) or other related field and/or a combination of other courses with appropriate HR experience is necessary. Having a PHR certification or a master's degree can add brownie points to your candidature.
- Experience: The more years of experience you have as an HR assistant, the better your salary will be. For instance, an HR assistant with more than 4-5 years of experience can expect around $76,000 annually, and with more than 7-8 years of experience, you can get over $1,00,000 annually.
Why are HR Assistants Paid So Much?
HR assistants are paid handsomely because of the vitality of what they do and their workload. They are responsible for daily admin tasks and dealing with employees at a company. From recruitment and payroll processing to ensuring the overall well-being of employees, HR assistants work closely with other HR experts like generalists, managers, and directors.
This, coupled with the increasing demand for employee and workforce management skills, places HR assistants at a favorable advantage in the job market. The demand for skilled HR assistants is anticipated to grow at a rate of 3% in the next four to five years! Especially in industries like healthcare, technology, and finance, HR assistants can expect higher salaries because of their specialized knowledge of dealing with highly educated and larger workforces.
Conclusion
HR Assistant jobs offer not only financial benefits but also opportunities for professional growth and development. You can increase your earning potential and make substantial contributions to the changing field of human resource management by using relevant skills, experience, and certifications.
Becoming an HR assistant is an excellent way to begin your career path in human resources. You’ll work closely with other HR experts daily and witness first-hand how workforces are managed. However, you must have the requisite educational background, skills, and certifications to get this position and earn a modest HR assistant salary. You can obtain the necessary skills and information for an HR assistant by taking the KnowledgeHut ITIL Foundation course online.