How much does a benefits manager make?
a year · about $72 an hour
A typical benefits manager in the United States makes $149,230 a year, about $72 an hour, about 2.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A benefits manager reviews health, leave, and retirement plans, checks rules and costs, and meets with HR or insurance vendors. They answer workers’ questions and guide enrollment, which gets busier during sign-up season.
Did you know? At large companies, pay and benefits may be handled by separate managers—one focuses on pay plans while another focuses on employee benefits.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $89,160 and $256,570How do you become one?
In the U.S., get a bachelor’s degree in business, HR, or a related field, then gain several years’ experience in an HR or specialist job. Certification is optional; some employers prefer it, and it may require an exam.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, location, and employer industry; BLS reports different pay levels across industries and publishes state and metro estimates. Large organizations may split the work into pay or benefits specialties, and optional certifications can show expertise to employers.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($184,070), lowest in Florida ($127,960).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $89,160 | $149,230 | $256,570 | about 23,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $184,070 | about 670 |
| New York | $175,620 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 | about 950 |
| California | $166,730 | about 3,000 |
| Georgia | $163,060 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization. Job analysis and position description managers are included in “Human Resources Managers” (11-3121).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-3111.00
- www.worldatwork.org/certifications
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY