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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Benefit Specialist in California is $61,768 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, an Employee Benefit Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Employee Benefit Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $68,706 | $5,725 | $1,321 | $33 |
| Average | $61,768 | $5,147 | $1,188 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,394 | $4,449 | $1,027 | $26 |
GPAC - Del Mar, CA
GPAC - Stockton, CA
ALCO HARVESTING - Santa Maria, CA
Telecare - Alameda, CA
An Employee Benefit 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Benefit Specialists. 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:
For Employee Benefit Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 115% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Employee Benefit Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Benefit Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $80,298 | $39.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $77,209 | $37.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $74,121 | $36.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $72,886 | $35.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $71,033 | $34.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Employee Benefit 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $68,706 | $5,725 | $1,321 | $33 |
| Average | $61,768 | $5,147 | $1,188 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,394 | $4,449 | $1,027 | $26 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Employee Benefit Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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