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Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Employee Benefits Programs Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Benefits Programs Manager in the United States is $132,201 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,536
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,242 to $143,892
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,354
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salaries

An Employee Benefits Programs 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 Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Benefits Programs 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $116,774
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $109,052
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $131,342
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $175,327
  • Expert (over 8 years): $196,942
Levels Salary
Benefits ... Level Employee Benefits Programs Manager$116,774
Benefits ... Level Employee Benefits Programs Manager$109,052
Employee ... Level Employee Benefits Programs Manager$131,342
Benefits ... Level Employee Benefits Programs Manager$175,327
Benefits ... Level Employee Benefits Programs Manager$196,942
View as Graph

How Do Employee Benefits Programs 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 Employee Benefits Programs Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $146,373.
  • California: $145,818.
  • Massachusetts: $143,874.

Top Paying Cities for Employee Benefits Programs 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: $166,745
  • San Francisco: $164,919
  • Oakland: $161,444

What Skills Can Increase an Employee Benefits Programs Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.98% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.92% 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.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.98%
Microsoft Office 2.92%
PowerPoint 1.55%
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 an Employee Benefits Programs Manager's salary.

  • Vendor Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Workday: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Vendor Management $140,133
6%
Project Management $138,811
5%
Workday $138,811
5%
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Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employee Benefits Programs 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, Employee Benefits Programs Manager positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Benefits Programs Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Employee Benefits Programs Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$185,081$89.040%
Business Services$178,471$86.035%
Construction$171,861$83.030%
Energy & Utilities$165,251$79.025%
Healthcare$158,641$76.020%

How Education impacts an Employee Benefits Programs Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Employee Benefits Programs Managers 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 an Employee Benefits Programs Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $118,347 and $125,959).

Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Employee Benefits Programs Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 11.7%
Associates 6.6%
Bachelors 54.6%
Masters 25.7%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

Employee Benefits Programs Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Employee Benefits Programs 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
$120,242
Average $132,201/year
$143,892
$10,020
Average $11,017/month
$11,991
$2,312
Average $2,542/week
$2,767
$58
Average $64/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,892 $11,991 $2,767 $69
Average $132,201 $11,017 $2,542 $64
25th Percentile $120,242 $10,020 $2,312 $58

Most common benefits for Employee Benefits Programs Manager

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

Common company salaries for Employee Benefits Programs Manager

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

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FAQ about Employee Benefits Programs Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Employee Benefits Programs Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Employee Benefits Programs Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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