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Compensation and Benefits Manager

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Life As a Compensation and Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager Job Description Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

What Do Compensation and Benefits Managers Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Study legislation, arbitration decisions, and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends.
  • Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
  • Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
  • Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
  • Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
  • Develop methods to improve employment policies, processes, and practices, and recommend changes to management.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as 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.

  • Payroll Manager
  • Employee Benefits Director
  • Compensation Manager
  • Benefits Coordinator
  • Compensation Director

Benefits Manager Employment Estimates

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. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Benefits Manager

Compensation and Benefits Managers make between $70,560 and $205,470 a year.

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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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Compensation and Benefits Managers may use on a daily basis:

  • 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

Becoming a Benefits Manager

Are there Compensation and Benefits Managers education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Benefits Manager?

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Compensation and Benefits Managers Sector

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Compensation and Benefits Managers work in the following industries:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those who work as a Compensation and Benefits Manager sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

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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