As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plan Design Specialist in the United States is $82,264 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Plan Design Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Plan Design Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plan Design Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Plan Design Specialist | $79,584 |
| Intermediate Level Plan Design Specialist | $80,080 |
| Senior Level Plan Design Specialist | $82,550 |
| Specialist Level Plan Design Specialist | $86,550 |
| Expert Level Plan Design Specialist | $87,265 |
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 Plan Design Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 9.09% |
| Illustration | 9.09% |
| Make To Order | 9.09% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Illustration
|
$122,573 |
49%
|
|
Financial Services
|
$88,845 |
8%
|
|
Sales Support
|
$88,022 |
7%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$87,200 |
6%
|
|
Attention to Detail
|
$86,377 |
5%
|
|
Make To Order
|
$84,732 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plan Design Specialists 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 Plan Design Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,611 and $84,623).
Plan Design Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 7.1% |
| High School | 7.1% |
| Associates | 7.1% |
| Bachelors | 57.1% |
| Masters | 28.6% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Plan Design Specialist'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 April 01, 2026For a Plan Design Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Policy Change Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $82,230 - a projected growth of 0% over your current level.
Salaries for a Plan Design Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $61,574 in 2023 to around $60,643 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Plan Design Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $61,574 |
| 2024 | $61,079 |
| 2025 | $60,643 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Plan Design Specialist'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 Plan Design Specialist earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Plan Design Specialist is $103,760.
The highest pay for Plan Design Specialist is $100,553.
The lowest pay for Plan Design Specialist is $69,560.
Works closely with clients to design group health, dental and/or life insurance plans to create an overall benefit package. Works alongside underwriters, but is not an underwriter role. Monitors and analyzes cost trends. May handle more complex plan design. Requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.
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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