Life As a Compensation and Benefits Manager
Job Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
Benefits Manager Responsibilities
- 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.
- Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Advise management on such matters as equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
- Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees’ benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
- Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
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Skills Needed to be a Benefits Manager
These are the skills Compensation and Benefits Managers say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Position Classification Manager
- Employee Benefits Coordinator
- Account Manager
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Field Advisor
Job Outlook for Compensation and Benefits Managers
In the United States, there were 15,800 jobs for Compensation and Benefits Manager in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.1% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 800 new jobs for Compensation and Benefits Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Benefits Manager are Utah, Washington, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, North Dakota, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Benefits Manager Make?
The salary for Compensation and Benefits Managers ranges between about $70,560 and $205,470 a year.
Compensation and Benefits Managers who work in Delaware, New Jersey, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Compensation and Benefits Managers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $108,580 |
| Alaska | $101,670 |
| Arizona | $105,980 |
| Arkansas | $103,740 |
| California | $150,480 |
| Colorado | $155,570 |
| Connecticut | $164,240 |
| Delaware | $174,380 |
| District of Columbia | $136,050 |
| Florida | $108,330 |
| Georgia | $125,710 |
| Idaho | $87,100 |
| Illinois | $126,470 |
| Indiana | $102,850 |
| Iowa | $113,390 |
| Kansas | $112,330 |
| Kentucky | $95,820 |
| Louisiana | $84,970 |
| Maine | $106,200 |
| Maryland | $149,160 |
| Massachusetts | $131,250 |
| Michigan | $133,450 |
| Minnesota | $139,350 |
| Mississippi | $86,740 |
| Missouri | $126,480 |
| Nebraska | $118,870 |
| Nevada | $121,620 |
| New Hampshire | $123,170 |
| New Jersey | $174,730 |
| New Mexico | $119,050 |
| New York | $161,950 |
| North Carolina | $128,400 |
| Ohio | $128,020 |
| Oklahoma | $104,800 |
| Oregon | $108,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $144,320 |
| South Carolina | $102,540 |
| Tennessee | $102,550 |
| Texas | $118,400 |
| Utah | $100,330 |
| Virginia | $148,800 |
| Washington | $143,180 |
| West Virginia | $117,970 |
| Wisconsin | $114,280 |
What Tools & Technology do Compensation and Benefits Managers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Compensation and Benefits Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- IBM Notes
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
How do I Become a Benefits Manager?
Are there Compensation and Benefits Managers education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Compensation and Benefits Managers Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as a Compensation and Benefits Manager sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Arunkumar Umapathy via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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