Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
SOC Code: 43-4161
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping carries a 60% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,440 and -7.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 95,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 60% AI exposure, Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping sits 23 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 94% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping has ai exposure of 60%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping (SOC 43-4161) carries an AI exposure score of 60%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 95,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -7.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $49,440, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.
- 2. 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.
- 3. Interview job applicants to obtain and verify information used to screen and evaluate them.
- 4. Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
- 5. Process and review employment applications to evaluate qualifications or eligibility of applicants.
- 6. Inform job applicants of their acceptance or rejection of employment.
- 7. Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker's compensation plans.
- 8. Select applicants meeting specified job requirements and refer them to hiring personnel.
- 9. Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.
- 10. Prepare and set up for new employee orientations.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
- Active Learning
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping has an AI exposure score of 60%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is projected to decline by 7.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 95,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?
Key skills for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping earn?
The median annual wage for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is $49,440, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?
The typical entry-level education for Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping?
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).