11 Series · SOC 11-3111

Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$149,230
Median / year
$256,570
Top 10% earn
+0.2%
Growth '23–'33
22,940
US workers

Compensation and Benefits Managers earn a median of $149,230 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $149,230, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $89,160 (10th percentile) to $256,570 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 22,940 US workers. Washington pays the most ($199,190), since pay varies by state and metro area.

11 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
Share: Post LinkedIn

The pay verdict

Compensation and Benefits Managers earn a median of $149,230, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 95% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Management, it ranks #8 of 37 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 0.2% by 2033.

$149,230
Median annual wage
Top 5%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#8 of 37
in Management
2.9×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Washington at $199,190. Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Compensation and Benefits Managers (SOC 11-3111) pays a national median of $149,230 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $89,160 at the 10th percentile to $256,570 at the 90th, with a mean of $162,640 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 22,940 Americans work in this occupation across 46 reporting states and 90 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +0.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,500 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of prior experience generally required. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 2.8 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $199,190, which is +33% above the national figure. The top metro is Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR at $221,800 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 22,940 jobs Median $149,230/yr

Median Salary

$149,230

per year

Median Hourly

$71.75/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$162,640

average

Employment

22,940

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Compensation and Benefits Managers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$149,230 Top 5% higher than 95% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Below this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Below this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). This entry sits in this band. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 11-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Compensation and Benefits Managers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 11-series occupations with growth data, Compensation and Benefits Managers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $149,230 median pay.

Among 25 11-series occupations with growth data, Compensation and Benefits Managers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $149,230 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $50000$100000$150000$200000$250000 -10%0%10%20%30% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 11-series occupations with growth data, Compensation and Benefits Managers sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $149,230 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+0.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

1,500

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Work Experience

5 years or more

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

2.8/100K

Injury Rate

0.8/100

Danger Index

4.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Compensation and Benefits Managers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 3.9
Judgment and Decision Making 3.9
Active Learning 3.8
Time Management 3.6
Management of Personnel Resources 3.6
Social Perceptiveness 3.5

Knowledge Areas

Personnel and Human Resources 4.3
English Language 4.1
Administration and Management 4.0
Customer and Personal Service 3.8
Economics and Accounting 3.4
Mathematics 3.3
Administrative 3.0
Law and Government 3.0
Communications and Media 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.8

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
  • ▸ Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
  • ▸ Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
  • ▸ Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
  • ▸ Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
  • ▸ Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
  • ▸ Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
  • ▸ Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
  • ▸ Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
  • ▸ Prepare detailed job descriptions and classification systems and define job levels and families, in partnership with other managers.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$89,160$113,170$149,230$200,610$256,570
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$42.86$54.41$71.75$96.45$123.35
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$89,160

25th Percentile

$113,170

Median

$149,230

75th Percentile

$200,610

90th Percentile

$256,570

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Washington $199,190 2. Connecticut $197,970 3. Massachusetts $184,070 4. New York $175,620 5. New Jersey $168,370

Lowest Paying States

42. Mississippi $89,250 43. Idaho $90,020 44. Puerto Rico $97,500 45. South Carolina $99,630 46. Louisiana $99,840
View all 46 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Washington $199,190 +33% above national
2 Connecticut $197,970 +33% above national
3 Massachusetts $184,070 +23% above national
4 New York $175,620 +18% above national
5 New Jersey $168,370 +13% above national
6 California $166,730 +12% above national
7 Delaware $166,070 +11% above national
8 Colorado $165,770 +11% above national
9 Minnesota $163,390 +9% above national
10 Georgia $163,060 +9% above national
11 Oregon $161,470 +8% above national
12 District of Columbia $160,990 +8% above national
13 Virginia $153,660 +3% above national
14 Illinois $151,730 +2% above national
15 Michigan $151,620 +2% above national
16 Rhode Island $149,340 same as national
17 Ohio $141,920 5% below national
18 Maryland $139,860 6% below national
19 Pennsylvania $139,040 7% below national
20 New Hampshire $136,950 8% below national
21 Texas $136,930 8% below national
22 North Carolina $135,240 9% below national
23 Tennessee $132,780 11% below national
24 Utah $132,620 11% below national
25 Arizona $129,890 13% below national
26 Maine $129,690 13% below national
27 Florida $127,960 14% below national
28 Wisconsin $127,920 14% below national
29 New Mexico $124,390 17% below national
30 Alaska $122,490 18% below national
31 Nebraska $121,630 18% below national
32 Alabama $118,470 21% below national
33 Iowa $118,250 21% below national
34 Indiana $118,180 21% below national
35 Nevada $115,180 23% below national
36 Kentucky $114,290 23% below national
37 Kansas $114,070 24% below national
38 Hawaii $110,120 26% below national
39 Oklahoma $107,760 28% below national
40 Missouri $106,490 29% below national
41 Arkansas $100,810 32% below national
42 Louisiana $99,840 33% below national
43 South Carolina $99,630 33% below national
44 Puerto Rico $97,500 35% below national
45 Idaho $90,020 40% below national
46 Mississippi $89,250 40% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $221,800 2. Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $218,860 3. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $216,580 4. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $215,180 5. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,850

Lowest Paying Metros

86. Columbia, SC $73,870 87. Boise City, ID $85,270 88. Baton Rouge, LA $94,890 89. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $98,390 90. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $104,770
View all 90 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $221,800 +49% above national
2 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $218,860 +47% above national
3 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $216,580 +45% above national
4 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $215,180 +44% above national
5 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,850 +27% above national
6 Trenton-Princeton, NJ $186,700 +25% above national
7 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $185,590 +24% above national
8 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $179,730 +20% above national
9 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $171,950 +15% above national
10 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $168,850 +13% above national
11 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $168,540 +13% above national
12 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $167,450 +12% above national
13 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $166,100 +11% above national
14 Cleveland, OH $163,500 +10% above national
15 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $163,390 +9% above national
16 Salem, OR $163,270 +9% above national
17 Ann Arbor, MI $162,720 +9% above national
18 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $162,490 +9% above national
19 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $162,480 +9% above national
20 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $162,440 +9% above national
21 Worcester, MA $160,990 +8% above national
22 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $160,970 +8% above national
23 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $159,450 +7% above national
24 Richmond, VA $157,370 +5% above national
25 Birmingham, AL $156,710 +5% above national
26 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $155,380 +4% above national
27 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $155,340 +4% above national
28 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $151,860 +2% above national
29 Manchester-Nashua, NH $151,120 +1% above national
30 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $150,850 +1% above national
31 Charleston-North Charleston, SC $150,810 +1% above national
32 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $148,870 same as national
33 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $148,650 same as national
34 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $148,520 same as national
35 Columbus, OH $147,100 1% below national
36 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $145,930 2% below national
37 Pittsburgh, PA $145,340 3% below national
38 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $144,510 3% below national
39 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $142,950 4% below national
40 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $140,940 6% below national
41 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $140,870 6% below national
42 Rochester, NY $139,380 7% below national
43 Tucson, AZ $138,560 7% below national
44 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $136,220 9% below national
45 Memphis, TN-MS-AR $133,150 11% below national
46 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $132,970 11% below national
47 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $132,700 11% below national
48 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $132,540 11% below national
49 Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT $132,210 11% below national
50 Greensboro-High Point, NC $131,930 12% below national
51 Raleigh-Cary, NC $131,510 12% below national
52 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $131,450 12% below national
53 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $131,140 12% below national
54 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $130,220 13% below national
55 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $130,010 13% below national
56 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $129,800 13% below national
57 Winston-Salem, NC $129,580 13% below national
58 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $127,920 14% below national
59 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $127,730 14% below national
60 Madison, WI $127,670 14% below national
61 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $126,910 15% below national
62 New Haven, CT $126,550 15% below national
63 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $126,080 16% below national
64 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $125,750 16% below national
65 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $125,340 16% below national
66 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $124,430 17% below national
67 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $123,540 17% below national
68 North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $123,460 17% below national
69 Jacksonville, FL $123,150 17% below national
70 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $122,630 18% below national
71 Omaha, NE-IA $122,070 18% below national
72 El Paso, TX $120,830 19% below national
73 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $119,970 20% below national
74 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $119,490 20% below national
75 Jackson, MS $115,540 23% below national
76 Kansas City, MO-KS $115,200 23% below national
77 Reno, NV $115,180 23% below national
78 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $114,410 23% below national
79 Tulsa, OK $113,990 24% below national
80 Toledo, OH $110,870 26% below national
81 St. Louis, MO-IL $110,470 26% below national
82 Urban Honolulu, HI $110,120 26% below national
83 Oklahoma City, OK $107,780 28% below national
84 Tallahassee, FL $105,490 29% below national
85 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $105,310 29% below national
86 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $104,770 30% below national
87 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $98,390 34% below national
88 Baton Rouge, LA $94,890 36% below national
89 Boise City, ID $85,270 43% below national
90 Columbia, SC $73,870 50% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 11 (management) with comparable pay and career paths.

Administrative Services Managers

SOC 11-3012

Advertising and Promotions Managers

SOC 11-2011

Architectural and Engineering Managers

SOC 11-9041

Chief Executives

SOC 11-1011

Computer and Information Systems Managers

SOC 11-3021
Compare Compensation and Benefits Managers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Compensation and Benefits Managers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Compensation and Benefits Managers is $149,230 ($71.75/hour). The salary range spans from $89,160 at the 10th percentile to $256,570 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Compensation and Benefits Managers the most? ▼
Washington pays the highest median salary for Compensation and Benefits Managers at $199,190/year, which is +33% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Compensation and Benefits Managers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Compensation and Benefits Managers is Bachelor's degree. 5 years or more of related work experience is also typically required.
How dangerous is being a Compensation and Benefits Managers? ▼
Compensation and Benefits Managers has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 2.8 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.8 per 100 workers.
Is Compensation and Benefits Managers a good career? ▼
Employment for Compensation and Benefits Managers is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 1,500 openings are projected each year.
How does Compensation and Benefits Managers pay vary by state? ▼
Compensation and Benefits Managers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Washington at $199,190/year, while Louisiana pays the least at $99,840/year. BLS data covers 46 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Compensation and Benefits Managers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Compensation and Benefits Managers is Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR at $221,800/year. BLS reports wage data for 90 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Compensation and Benefits Managers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $200,610/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $199,190/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.