As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Benefits Manager in California is $141,434 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Benefits Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Benefits Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $153,840 | $12,820 | $2,958 | $74 |
| Average | $141,434 | $11,786 | $2,720 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,305 | $10,692 | $2,467 | $62 |
Kaiser Permanente - The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. -Northern California - Modesto, CA
Jackson Physician Search - Salinas, CA
Sutter Health Hospital Supported Recruitment - Crescent City, CA
Anapol Enterprises, LLC - Sacramento, CA
A Benefits 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Benefits 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits Analyst IV | 7+ years | $125,773 |
| Benefits Supervisor | 7+ years | $117,456 |
| Benefits Manager | 7+ years | $141,434 |
| Benefits Senior Manager | 7+ years | $188,803 |
| Benefits Director | 7+ years | $212,082 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Benefits Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $158,193. While startup companies pay approximate $133,784.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $133,784 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $141,498 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $152,766 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $158,193 |
For Benefits Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Benefits Manager positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Benefits Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $198,008 | $95.0 | 40% |
| Business Services | $190,936 | $92.0 | 35% |
| Construction | $183,865 | $88.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $176,793 | $85.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $169,721 | $82.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Benefits 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 | $153,840 | $12,820 | $2,958 | $74 |
| Average | $141,434 | $11,786 | $2,720 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,305 | $10,692 | $2,467 | $62 |
For a Benefits Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Benefits Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $188,803 - a projected growth of 33% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Benefits Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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