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Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Compensation and Benefits Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compensation and Benefits Manager in the United States is $131,177 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, a Compensation and Benefits Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,822
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,276 to $142,507
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,441
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Compensation and Benefits Manager Salaries

A Compensation and 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Compensation and Benefits Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Compensation and 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:

  • Compensation and Benefits Analyst V (7-10 years): $169,559
  • Compensation and Benefits Supervisor (10+ years): $112,616
  • Compensation and Benefits Manager (10+ years): $131,177
  • Compensation and Benefits Manager, Senior (10+ years): $173,699
  • Compensation and Benefits Director (10+ years): $196,780
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Compensation and Benefits Analyst V7-10 years$169,559
Compensation and Benefits Supervisor10+ years$112,616
Compensation and Benefits Manager10+ years$131,177
Compensation and Benefits Manager, Senior10+ years$173,699
Compensation and Benefits Director10+ years$196,780
View as Graph

How Do Compensation and Benefits Manager 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 Compensation and Benefits Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $145,239.
  • California: $144,688.
  • Massachusetts: $142,760.

Top Paying Cities for Compensation and Benefits Managers

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: $165,454
  • San Francisco: $163,642
  • Oakland: $160,193

What Skills Can Increase a Compensation and Benefits Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.22% 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.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 4.38% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Workday (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): A cloud-based human resource management software system that unifies a wide range of HR functionality into a single system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.22%
Billing 4.38%
Workday 1.96%
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 Compensation and Benefits Manager's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $139,048
6%
Products and Services $137,736
5%
Project Management $137,736
5%
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Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Compensation and Benefits Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,596. While startup companies pay approximate $124,005.

Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,005
Growth Stage 51~500 $131,148
Established 501~5000 $141,557
Enterprise 5000+ $146,596

Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Compensation and Benefits Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Compensation and Benefits Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compensation and Benefits Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Compensation and Benefits Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$157,412$76.020%
Insurance$157,412$76.020%
Pharmaceuticals$157,412$76.020%
Aerospace & Defense$150,854$73.015%
Biotechnology$144,295$69.010%

How Education impacts a Compensation and Benefits Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Compensation and Benefits Manager 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 Compensation and Benefits Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $130,713 and $139,436.

Compensation and Benefits Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Compensation and Benefits Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 9.8%
Associates 4.6%
Bachelors 44.3%
Masters 39.1%
Doctorate 1.1%
View as Graph

Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Compensation and 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$119,276
Average $131,177/year
$142,507
$9,940
Average $10,931/month
$11,876
$2,294
Average $2,523/week
$2,741
$57
Average $63/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $142,507 $11,876 $2,741 $69
Average $131,177 $10,931 $2,523 $63
25th Percentile $119,276 $9,940 $2,294 $57

Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Compensation and Benefits Manager

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Advancement

For a Compensation and Benefits Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Compensation and Benefits Manager, Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $173,699 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Compensation and Benefits Manager

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

Common company salaries for Compensation and Benefits Manager

Here are companies hiring for Compensation and Benefits Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Compensation and Benefits Manager

1. Where can a Compensation and Benefits Manager earn the most?

A Compensation and Benefits Manager'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 Compensation and Benefits Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Compensation and Benefits Manager is $165,454.

2. What is the highest pay for Compensation and Benefits Manager?

The highest pay for Compensation and Benefits Manager is $152,822.

3. What is the lowest pay for Compensation and Benefits Manager?

The lowest pay for Compensation and Benefits Manager is $108,441.

4. What are the responsibilities of Compensation and Benefits Manager?

Manages the design, implementation, administration, communication, and ongoing evaluation of the organization's compensation and benefits programs, policies, and procedures. Ensures that compensation and benefits programs support the organization's business objectives and meet all legal requirements. Develops and manages compensation and benefits budgets. Oversees compensation processes, including survey participation, job evaluation, salary structure development, base pay administration, incentive plan design and analysis. Manages benefits planning and programs including health and welfare, retirement, and work life. May select and manage outsourced providers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Compensation and Benefits Manager?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Compensation and Benefits Manager 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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  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
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