upper level job

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Employee Benefit Programs Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager in the United States is $128,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

However, an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $149,733
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,350 to $139,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,507

Key Factors That Influence Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salaries

An Employee Benefit Programs Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Specialist/Lead Benefits Analyst (7+ years): $114,026
  • Employee Benefit Programs Supervisor (7+ years): $106,486
  • Employee Benefit Programs Manager (7+ years): $128,251
  • Senior Manager Employee Health and Welfare Benefits (7+ years): $171,201
  • Director Employee Health and Welfare Benefits (7+ years): $192,307
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Specialist/Lead Benefits Analyst7+ years$114,026
Employee Benefit Programs Supervisor7+ years$106,486
Employee Benefit Programs Manager7+ years$128,251
Senior Manager Employee Health and Welfare Benefits7+ years$171,201
Director Employee Health and Welfare Benefits7+ years$192,307

Top Paying Cities for Employee Benefit Programs Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $161,770
  • San Francisco: $160,000
  • Oakland: $156,630

What Skills Can Increase an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.98% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.92% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.98%
Microsoft Office 2.92%
PowerPoint 1.55%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's salary.

  • Vendor Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Workday: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Vendor Management $135,956
6%
Project Management $134,673
5%
Workday $134,673
5%

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Employee Benefit Programs Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,336. While startup companies pay approximate $121,248.

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $121,248
Growth Stage 51~500 $128,231
Established 501~5000 $138,409
Enterprise 5000+ $143,336

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employee Benefit Programs Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Employee Benefit Programs Manager positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Benefit Programs Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$179,564$86.040%
Business Services$173,151$83.035%
Construction$166,738$80.030%
Energy & Utilities$160,325$77.025%
Healthcare$153,912$74.020%

How Education impacts an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Employee Benefit Programs Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,756 and $125,330).

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Employee Benefit Programs Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 11.7%
Associates 6.6%
Bachelors 54.6%
Masters 25.7%
Doctorate 0.6%

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Employee Benefit Programs Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$116,350
Average $128,260/year
$139,500
$9,696
Average $10,688/month
$11,625
$2,238
Average $2,467/week
$2,683
$56
Average $62/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,500 $11,625 $2,683 $67
Average $128,260 $10,688 $2,467 $62
25th Percentile $116,350 $9,696 $2,238 $56

Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Employee Benefit Programs Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Manager Employee Health and Welfare Benefits role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $171,300 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Employee Benefit Programs Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Employee Benefit Programs Manager

Here are companies hiring for Employee Benefit Programs Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Employee Benefit Programs Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Employee Benefit Programs Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Employee Benefit Programs Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Employee Benefit Programs Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Employee Benefit Programs Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. How much do program managers make per hour in the US?

As of now, the salary for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager in the United States ranges from $110,850 to $138,580 annually, with a midpoint of $124,040. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $53.14 to $66.66, based on a standard 40-hour workweek.

3. What does an employee benefits manager do?

Benefits managers administer an organization's employee benefits program, which may include retirement plans, leave policies, wellness programs, and insurance policies such as health, life, and disability. The salary for this role typically ranges from $110,850 to $138,580, with a midpoint of $124,040, reflecting the importance of effectively managing employee benefits.

4. Is being a benefits manager hard?

Being a Benefits Manager can be challenging due to the need to stay updated on changing laws and regulations. This responsibility often requires long hours and can create stress, impacting personal time. However, the role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $110,850, a midpoint of $124,040, and a maximum of $138,580, reflecting its importance in organizations.

5. Do program managers make more than project managers?

Program managers generally earn more than project managers. Based on the salary data for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager, the salary ranges from $110,850 to $138,580, with a midpoint of $124,040. In contrast, project managers typically earn around $85,000 annually, highlighting the higher earning potential for program managers.

6. How much do employee assistance program managers make?

Employee Benefit Programs Managers typically earn between $110,850 and $138,580 annually, with a median salary of $124,040. Their responsibilities include managing employee assistance programs, ensuring confidentiality of employee files, and overseeing the documentation process.

7. How many hours do program managers work?

Program Managers typically work around 40 to 50 hours per week, though this can vary based on industry, project complexity, and deadlines. The salary for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager ranges from $110,850 to $138,580, with a midpoint of $124,040, reflecting the responsibilities and demands of the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job