Management
Compensation and benefits managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
Median pay
$149,230
Growth to 2035
+1%
little or no change
Openings a year
1,600
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Compensation and benefits managers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- 5 years or more
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Compensation and benefits managers: 67% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
- Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
- Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
- Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
- Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
- Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
- Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
Also called: Benefits Coordinator · Benefits Director · Benefits Manager · Compensation and Benefits Director · Compensation and Benefits Manager · Compensation Director · Compensation Manager · Employee Benefits Coordinator
Outlook and AI
Compensation and benefits managers held 23,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 24,000 by 2035 (+1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Sourcing change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as compensation and benefits activities continue to be outsourced or automated through specialized software.
Compare with
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Human resources specialist
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Human resources manager
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Labor relations specialist
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Financial manager
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Compliance officer
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Accountant
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Financial examiner
- Compensation and benefits managers vs. Budget analyst