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Benefits Administrator III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Benefits Administrator III in the United States is $87,652 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,934
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,804 to $94,081
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,569
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Benefits Administrator III Salaries

A Benefits Administrator III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Benefits Administrator III'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): $57,650
  • Benefits Administrator II (2-4 years): $70,879
  • Benefits Administrator III (4-7 years): $87,652
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Benefits Administrator I0-2 years$57,650
Benefits Administrator II2-4 years$70,879
Benefits Administrator III4-7 years$87,652
View as Graph

How Do Benefits Administrator III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Benefits Administrator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,048.
  • California: $96,680.
  • Massachusetts: $95,392.

Top Paying Cities for Benefits Administrator IIIs

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: $110,555
  • San Francisco: $109,345
  • Oakland: $107,041

What Skills Can Increase a Benefits Administrator III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.65% 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 Office (Mentioned in 4.1% 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.
  • Customer Service Support (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Customer support is a service provided to help customers resolve any technical problems that they may have with a product or service.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.65%
Microsoft Office 4.1%
Customer Service Support 1.88%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $94,664
8%
Consulting $92,911
6%
Leadership $92,911
6%
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Benefits Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Benefits Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,955. While startup companies pay approximate $82,860.

Benefits Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $82,860
Growth Stage 51~500 $87,632
Established 501~5000 $94,588
Enterprise 5000+ $97,955

Benefits Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Benefits Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Benefits Administrator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Benefits Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Benefits Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$105,182$51.020%
Biotechnology$105,182$51.020%
Energy & Utilities$105,182$51.020%
Financial Services$105,182$51.020%
Healthcare$105,182$51.020%

How Education impacts a Benefits Administrator III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Benefits Administrator III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Benefits Administrator III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $84,391 and $90,264.

Benefits Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Benefits Administrator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 23.6%
Associates 15.6%
Bachelors 46.0%
Masters 13.2%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Benefits Administrator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Benefits Administrator III'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
$80,804
Average $87,652/year
$94,081
$6,734
Average $7,304/month
$7,840
$1,554
Average $1,686/week
$1,809
$39
Average $42/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,081 $7,840 $1,809 $45
Average $87,652 $7,304 $1,686 $42
25th Percentile $80,804 $6,734 $1,554 $39

Benefits Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Benefits Administrator III

Next Role

Advancement

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

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Benefits Administrator IV $115,598 32%
Benefits Analyst IV $114,026 30%

Most common benefits for Benefits Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for Benefits Administrator III

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

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FAQ about Benefits Administrator III

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

A Benefits Administrator III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Benefits Administrator III is $110,555.

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

The highest pay for Benefits Administrator III is $99,934.

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

The lowest pay for Benefits Administrator III is $74,569.

4. What are the responsibilities of Benefits Administrator III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Benefits Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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