What Does an HR Administrator Do?
An HR administrator provides essential administrative support across various human resources functions, helping ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the HR department. This role typically involves maintaining accurate employee records, coordinating onboarding and offboarding processes, handling HR documentation, and assisting with benefits enrollment and compliance tracking. HR administrators are often the first point of contact for employee inquiries about policies, procedures, or systems.
While primarily administrative, the role contributes to broader HR initiatives by supporting compliance efforts, managing HRIS data, and facilitating effective communication between departments. Successful HR administrators are highly organized, discreet, and comfortable working with sensitive employee information. They often work closely with HR managers or generalists, ensuring that every aspect of the employee lifecycle, from hiring paperwork to exit interviews, is handled with accuracy and professionalism.
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HR Administrator Core Responsibilities
- Maintain and update employee records, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes, including paperwork and system access
- Prepare HR documentation such as employment contracts, policy updates, and status changes
- Track time-off requests, leaves of absence, and benefit eligibility
- Support HRIS data entry, audits, and reporting
- Coordinate with payroll or benefits teams to resolve employee issues
- Respond to general HR-related inquiries and direct employees to appropriate resources
- Assist in preparing reports for compliance, audits, or management reviews
- Maintain confidentiality of employee information and HR processes
- Support HR events, training sessions, and internal communications
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Experience with HRIS or employee management systems
- Understanding of basic labor laws and HR documentation practices
- Familiarity with onboarding, timekeeping, or benefits platforms
Soft skills
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Professional communication (written and verbal)
- Discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information
- Dependability and follow-through
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field preferred
Certifications
- No certifications required
- SHRM-CP or PHR certification preferred for career advancement
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in an HR or administrative role
- Familiarity with platforms like Workday, ADP, or BambooHR
- Experience supporting payroll or benefits processes
- Basic reporting skills using Excel, HRIS dashboards, or other tools
- Bilingual communication skills (in high-volume or multilingual environments)
National Average Salary
HR administrator salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a HR Administrator is:
$60,115
Sample Job Description Templates for HR Administrators
Benefits HR Administrator
Position Overview
We are hiring a Benefits HR Administrator to support all administrative aspects of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and wellness initiatives. This role serves as a key liaison between employees, HR, and external benefits providers to ensure timely enrollments, accurate deductions, and clear communication.
Responsibilities
- Manage benefits enrollment and termination processes in HRIS and carrier systems
- Assist employees with benefits questions, claims, and coverage issues
- Coordinate open enrollment, including communications and system updates
- Process qualifying life events and ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines
- Maintain and audit benefits records for accuracy and completeness
- Reconcile benefits invoices and ensure accurate payroll deductions
- Support leave of absence administration, including FMLA and ADA tracking
- Collaborate with brokers and vendors on plan changes or escalations
Requirements
Hard skills
- Understanding of health, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits
- Experience with benefits portals, HRIS platforms, and payroll coordination
- Knowledge of COBRA, FMLA, ACA, and HIPAA compliance
Soft skills
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain benefits clearly
- Organizational skills for managing deadlines and documentation
- Empathy and discretion when dealing with sensitive employee matters
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred
Certifications
- None required
- CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting open enrollment in a mid-to-large organization
- Familiarity with platforms like ADP, Workday, or Benefitfocus
Payroll HR Administrator
Position Overview
We are looking for a Payroll HR Administrator to support payroll processing and ensure timely, accurate compensation for employees. This role works closely with HR and finance teams to validate timekeeping data, manage payroll entries, and support compliance with payroll laws and company policies.
Responsibilities
- Collect, verify, and process time and attendance data for payroll cycles
- Maintain employee records related to wages, hours, and deductions
- Assist with new hire setup, terminations, and status changes in payroll systems
- Respond to employee inquiries about paychecks, taxes, and direct deposits
- Support payroll reporting and audits as needed
- Coordinate with payroll vendors and internal finance contacts
- Help ensure compliance with wage and hour laws
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic payroll processing knowledge and timekeeping system experience
- Familiarity with wage garnishments, bonuses, and tax withholdings
- Understanding of FLSA, state labor laws, and payroll tax reporting
Soft skills
- Accuracy and detail orientation
- Ability to handle confidential payroll data with discretion
- Dependable communication with employees and finance partners
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Degree in business, accounting, or HR preferred
Certifications
- None required
- FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using ADP, Paychex, or similar payroll platforms
- Exposure to multi-state or hourly/non-exempt payroll processing
HRIS HR Administrator
Position Overview
We are hiring an HRIS HR Administrator to manage employee data and ensure accuracy within our Human Resources Information System. This role is responsible for updating records, running standard reports, supporting system access, and assisting with HR process automation across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Enter and maintain accurate employee data in the HRIS (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG)
- Support HR workflows such as hiring, transfers, and terminations
- Run recurring and ad hoc reports for HR and business leaders
- Troubleshoot access or data issues for employees and HR users
- Perform routine data audits and help resolve discrepancies
- Assist with system testing, upgrades, and training documentation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with HRIS platforms and data entry best practices
- Knowledge of employee lifecycle processes and system workflows
- Familiarity with reporting tools and audit preparation
Soft skills
- Strong data accuracy and attention to detail
- Analytical thinking and troubleshooting mindset
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in HR or IT preferred
Certifications
- None required
- HRIS platform certifications (e.g., Workday, UKG) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting HR technology in a fast-paced environment
- Comfort with confidential data and access management
Recruiting HR Administrator
Position Overview
We are seeking a Recruiting HR Administrator to support the hiring process from job posting to onboarding. This role coordinates interview logistics, manages applicant tracking systems, and ensures a smooth experience for candidates and hiring managers alike.
Responsibilities
- Post job openings across platforms and update applicant tracking systems
- Schedule interviews, coordinate calendars, and communicate with candidates
- Assist with background checks, offer letters, and new hire paperwork
- Maintain recruiting documentation and compliance records (e.g., EEO)
- Respond to internal and external inquiries related to job opportunities
- Track recruiting metrics and generate basic reports
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS) such as Greenhouse, iCIMS, or Workday
- Familiarity with the hiring process, including pre-employment documentation
- Understanding of EEO and basic recruiting compliance standards
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and coordination skills
- Excellent communication and candidate service orientation
- Time management under tight recruiting timelines
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or communications preferred
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a high-volume recruiting environment
- Familiarity with job boards and employer branding tools
Compliance HR Administrator
Position Overview
We are hiring a Compliance HR Administrator to assist with maintaining regulatory compliance across HR functions. This role ensures personnel files, I-9s, training records, and HR policies are current and audit-ready, while supporting risk management and legal documentation needs.
Responsibilities
- Maintain organized and up-to-date personnel records in accordance with legal standards
- Track required employee training, certifications, and policy acknowledgments
- Monitor HR documentation for compliance with labor laws and company policies
- Support audits, investigations, and government reporting (e.g., EEO-1, ACA)
- Manage document retention schedules and security protocols
- Assist with policy updates and compliance communications
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with federal and state employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, EEOC)
- Experience maintaining confidential records and HR documentation
- Understanding of document compliance and audit procedures
Soft skills
- Strong attention to legal detail and process accuracy
- Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive materials
- Ability to stay organized across competing compliance tasks
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Degree in HR, legal studies, or business preferred
Certifications
- None required
- SHRM-CP or PHR preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting HR compliance in a regulated industry
- Familiarity with digital file systems and compliance reporting tools