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Benefits Administrator I Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Benefits Administrator I in the United States is $57,652 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,628
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,447 to $64,444
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,887
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View as table View as graph 25% $50,447 10% $43,887 90% $70,628 75% $64,444 $57,652 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Benefits Administrator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $64,444 $5,370 $1,239 $31
Average $57,652 $4,804 $1,109 $28
25th Percentile $50,447 $4,204 $970 $24
Check out Benefits Administrator I Job Openings in the United States
Client Service Administrator

Oswald Companies - Cleveland, OH

Benefits Administrator

RANPAK - Painesville, OH

HR Systems and Benefits Administrator

SIFCO - Cleveland, OH

Senior Payroll&amp Benefits Administrator

Enprotech - Cleveland, OH

Search More Benefits Administrator I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Benefits Administrator I Salaries

A Benefits Administrator I'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 Benefits Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Benefits Administrator I'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:

  • Benefits Administrator I (0-2 years): $57,652
  • Benefits Administrator II (2-4 years): $70,880
  • Benefits Administrator III (4-7 years): $87,654
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Benefits Administrator I0-2 years$57,652
Benefits Administrator II2-4 years$70,880
Benefits Administrator III4-7 years$87,654
$57,652 Benefits ...
$70,880 Benefits ...
$87,654 Benefits ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Benefits 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: $72,716
  • San Francisco: $71,920
  • Oakland: $70,405

What Skills Can Increase a Benefits 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.
See More Skills
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 Benefits 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
$74,948
30%
Leadership
$65,147
13%
Case Management
$62,841
9%
Consulting
$61,688
7%
Analysis
$61,111
6%
Work Ethic
$61,111
6%
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Benefits Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Benefits Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,483. While startup companies pay approximate $54,534.

Benefits Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$54,534
Growth Stage51~500$57,678
Established501~5000$62,271
Enterprise5000+$64,483

Benefits Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Benefits 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, Benefits Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Benefits Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Benefits Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$74,948$36.030%
Pharmaceuticals$72,065$35.025%
Financial Services$69,182$33.020%
Internet$68,029$33.018%
Energy & Utilities$66,300$32.015%

How Education impacts a Benefits Administrator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Benefits Administrator Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Benefits Administrator I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $55,365 and $58,813).

Benefits Administrator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Benefits Administrator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 19.2%
Associates 13.1%
Bachelors 53.8%
Masters 13.0%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Benefits Administrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Benefits 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 July 01, 2026

Benefits Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Benefits 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.

Benefits Administrator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Benefits Administrator II $70,880 23%
Benefits Analyst II $70,880 23%

Salary Trends for Benefits Administrator I

Salaries for a Benefits Administrator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $58,345 in 2023 to around $58,267 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Benefits Administrator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Benefits Administrator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$58,345
2024
$58,810
2025
$58,267
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $58,345
2024 $58,810
2025 $58,267
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Benefits Administrator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Benefits Administrator I

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

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FAQ about Benefits Administrator I

1. Where can a Benefits Administrator I earn the most?

A Benefits Administrator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Benefits Administrator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Benefits Administrator I is $72,716.

2. What is the highest pay for Benefits Administrator I?

The highest pay for Benefits Administrator I is $70,628.

3. What is the lowest pay for Benefits Administrator I?

The lowest pay for Benefits Administrator I is $43,887.

4. What are the responsibilities of Benefits Administrator I?

Administers an organization's employee benefits programs to ensure enrollment, compliance, and employee support. Processes benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations, and verifies the accuracy of records across HRIS and carrier systems. Serves as the primary point of contact for employee inquiries regarding eligibility, coverage, claims, and plan provisions. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and supports required reporting and audits. Reconciles benefit invoices and resolves discrepancies with insurance carriers and third-party vendors. Coordinates annual open enrollment activities, communicates plan changes to employees, and assists with the evaluation of plan offerings. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Benefits Administrator I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Benefits 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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