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HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary in the United States

How much does a HR Benefits Program Administrator I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a HR Benefits Program Administrator I in the United States is $57,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a HR Benefits Program Administrator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,681
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,490 to $64,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,935

Key Factors That Influence HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salaries

A HR Benefits Program Administrator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for HR Benefits Program Administrator Is

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: $72,790
  • San Francisco: $71,990
  • Oakland: $70,490

What Skills Can Increase a HR Benefits Program Administrator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.01% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Workday (Mentioned in 3.03% Job Postings): A cloud-based human resource management software system that unifies a wide range of HR functionality into a single system.
  • Onboarding (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Onboarding, also known as organizational socialization, is management jargon first created in the 1970's that refers to the mechanism through which new employees acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors in order to become effective organizational members and insiders. It is the process of integrating a new employee into the organization and its culture. Tactics used in this process include formal meetings, lectures, videos, printed materials, or computer-based orientations to introduce newcomers to their new jobs and organizations. Research has demonstrated that these socialization techniques lead to positive outcomes for new employees such as higher job satisfaction, better job performance, greater organizational commitment, and reduction in occupational stress and intent to quit.. These outcomes are particularly important to an organization looking to retain a competitive advantage in an increasingly mobile and globalized workforce. In the United States, for example, up to 25% of workers are organizational newcomers engaged in an onboarding process. The term induction is used instead in regions such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and parts of Europe. This is known in some parts of the world as training.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.01%
Workday 3.03%
Onboarding 1.79%

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 a HR Benefits Program Administrator I's salary.

  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Case Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility $74,997
30%
Leadership $65,190
13%
Case Management $62,882
9%

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

HR Benefits Program Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,471. While startup companies pay approximate $54,536.

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $54,536
Growth Stage 51~500 $57,677
Established 501~5000 $62,255
Enterprise 5000+ $64,471

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For HR Benefits Program Administrator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 115% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, HR Benefits Program Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Benefits Program Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a HR Benefits Program Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$74,997$36.030%
Pharmaceuticals$72,112$35.025%
Financial Services$69,228$33.020%
Internet$68,074$33.018%
Energy & Utilities$66,344$32.015%

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a HR Benefits Program Administrator I'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
$50,490
Average $57,690/year
$64,490
$4,208
Average $4,808/month
$5,374
$971
Average $1,109/week
$1,240
$24
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,490 $5,374 $1,240 $31
Average $57,690 $4,808 $1,109 $28
25th Percentile $50,490 $4,208 $971 $24

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a HR Benefits Program Administrator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

HR Benefits Program Administrator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Employee Benefits Administrator, Experienced $70,900 23%
Employee Benefits Programs Analyst II $70,880 23%

Most common benefits for HR Benefits Program Administrator I

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

Common company salaries for HR Benefits Program Administrator I

Here are companies hiring for HR Benefits Program Administrator I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about HR Benefits Program Administrator I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for HR Benefits Program Administrator I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for HR Benefits Program Administrator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.

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