Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salary in the United States

How much does a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator in the United States is $82,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,663
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,800 to $88,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,973
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View as table View as graph 25% $75,800 10% $69,973 90% $93,663 75% $88,200 $82,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $88,200 $7,350 $1,696 $42
Average $82,200 $6,850 $1,581 $40
25th Percentile $75,800 $6,317 $1,458 $36
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Key Factors That Influence Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salaries

A Retirement Plan Senior Administrator'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 Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,334
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,812
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $80,767
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $82,200
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,439
Levels Salary
Entry Level Retirement Plan Senior Administrator$79,334
Intermediate Level Retirement Plan Senior Administrator$79,812
Senior Level Retirement Plan Senior Administrator$80,767
Specialist Level Retirement Plan Senior Administrator$82,200
Expert Level Retirement Plan Senior Administrator$84,439
$79,334 0 yr
$79,812 < 2 yrs
$80,767 2-4 yrs
$82,200 5-8 yrs
$84,439 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Retirement Plan Senior Administrators

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: $103,600
  • San Francisco: $102,600
  • Oakland: $100,300

What Skills Can Increase a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.09% 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.
  • Microsoft Word (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Microsoft Word or MS Word is a popular word-processing program used mainly for creating documents, such as brochures, letters, learning activities, quizzes, tests, and students' homework assignments
  • Call Center (Mentioned in 0.97% Job Postings): A call centre or call center is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.09%
Microsoft Word 1.94%
Call Center 0.97%
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 Retirement Plan Senior Administrator's salary.
  • Technical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 47%.
  • Employee Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Onboarding: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Technical Skills
$120,834
47%
Employee Communications
$92,886
13%
Onboarding
$88,776
8%
Oral Communication
$87,954
7%
Consulting Services
$87,954
7%
Actuarial
$87,132
6%
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How Education impacts a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Retirement Plan Senior Administrators 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 a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $83,442 and $86,646).

Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Retirement Plan Senior Administrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 6.1%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 60.2%
Masters 19.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator'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 January 01, 2026

Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator, 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.

Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Policy Enrollment Processing Supervisor $71,100 -14%
Reinsurance Plan Manager $132,400 61%

Salary Trends for Retirement Plan Senior Administrator

Salaries for a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $72,796 in 2023 to around $71,376 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Retirement Plan Senior Administrator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Retirement Plan Senior Administrator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$72,796
2024
$71,844
2025
$71,376
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $72,796
2024 $71,844
2025 $71,376
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Retirement Plan Senior Administrator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Retirement Plan Senior Administrator

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FAQ about Retirement Plan Senior Administrator

1. How much does a director of retirement plan services make?

The salary for a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator ranges from $80,700 to $91,900, with a mid-point of $86,800. This role involves managing pension plan administration, including both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit plans, ensuring compliance and effective service delivery.

2. What does a retirement plan administrator do?

A Retirement Plan Senior Administrator manages and oversees retirement plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and effective plan operations. They handle participant inquiries, process transactions, and maintain accurate records. The salary for this role typically ranges from $80,700 to $91,900, with a midpoint of $86,800, reflecting the expertise required in this field.

3. What does a senior pension administrator do?

A Senior Pension Administrator is responsible for record keeping and accounting, computing benefits, and determining benefit eligibility. The salary for this role typically ranges from $80,700 to $91,900, with a mid-point salary of $86,800, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved in managing retirement plans effectively.

4. How do retirement plan providers make money?

Retirement plan providers primarily generate revenue through kickbacks from mutual funds associated with the plans they offer. This practice, known as revenue sharing, involves payments for shelf space and is legal, though not always transparent. For professionals in this field, such as a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator, salaries range from $80,700 to $91,900, with a midpoint of $86,800.

5. What is the average salary for an administrator in the US?

The average salary for a Retirement Plan Senior Administrator in the US ranges from $80,700 to $91,900 annually, with a mid-salary of $86,800. Entry-level positions typically start at $80,700, while experienced professionals can earn up to $91,900 per year.

6. What is the highest paid system administrator?

The highest paid Retirement Plan Senior Administrator can expect a salary ranging from $80,700 to $91,900, with a mid-salary of $86,800. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, which is essential in managing retirement plans effectively.

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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