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:
Employee Benefit Programs Manager Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.98% |
| Microsoft Office | 2.92% |
| PowerPoint | 1.55% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Management | $135,956 | |
| Project Management | $134,673 | |
| Workday | $134,673 |
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.
| 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 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
Next Role
Advancement
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.
Salaries for an Employee Benefit Programs Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $114,357 in 2023 to around $113,736 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Employee Benefit Programs Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $114,357 |
| 2024 | $114,844 |
| 2025 | $113,736 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Employee Benefit Programs Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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