Compensation and Benefits Managers
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
Median pay: $149,230/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +0.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
The median pay for Compensation and Benefits Managers is $149,230 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
Employment for Compensation and Benefits Managers is projected to change +0.2% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.