How much does a compensation and benefits manager make?
The median compensation and benefits manager in the United States earns $149,230 per year, about $71.75 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all compensation and benefits managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-3111.
Compensation and benefits manager salary range
Pay for compensation and benefits managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $89,160 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $256,570. The average (mean) wage of $162,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $89,160 | $42.86 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $113,170 | $54.41 | |
| Median (50th) | $149,230 | $71.75 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $200,610 | $96.45 | |
| 90th percentile | $256,570 | $123.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for compensation and benefits managers (SOC 11-3111), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Compensation and benefits manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Compensation and benefits managers earn the most in Washington at $199,190 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $89,250. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $199,190 | 460 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 | 480 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 | 670 |
| New York | $175,620 | 2,260 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 | 950 |
| California | $166,730 | 2,970 |
| Delaware | $166,070 | 50 |
| Colorado | $165,770 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 | 360 |
| Georgia | $163,060 | 1,010 |
| Oregon | $161,470 | 240 |
| District of Columbia | $160,990 | 130 |
| Virginia | $153,660 | N/A |
| Illinois | $151,730 | 780 |
| Michigan | $151,620 | 580 |
| Rhode Island | $149,340 | 50 |
| Ohio | $141,920 | 460 |
| Maryland | $139,860 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $139,040 | 770 |
| New Hampshire | $136,950 | 100 |
| Texas | $136,930 | 2,230 |
| North Carolina | $135,240 | 880 |
| Tennessee | $132,780 | 670 |
| Utah | $132,620 | 200 |
| Arizona | $129,890 | 510 |
| Maine | $129,690 | 50 |
| Florida | $127,960 | 1,670 |
| Wisconsin | $127,920 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $124,390 | 40 |
| Alaska | $122,490 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $121,630 | 140 |
| Alabama | $118,470 | 90 |
| Iowa | $118,250 | 120 |
| Indiana | $118,180 | 170 |
| Nevada | $115,180 | 180 |
| Kentucky | $114,290 | 110 |
| Kansas | $114,070 | 70 |
| Hawaii | $110,120 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $107,760 | 180 |
| Missouri | $106,490 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $100,810 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $99,840 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $99,630 | 330 |
| Idaho | $90,020 | 100 |
| Mississippi | $89,250 | 70 |
State median wages for compensation and benefits managers (SOC 11-3111), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for compensation and benefits managers
The BLS projects employment of compensation and benefits managers to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for compensation and benefits managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a compensation and benefits manager
The typical entry-level education for compensation and benefits managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a compensation and benefits manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $199,190) and the lowest (Mississippi, $89,250) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,940 people work as compensation and benefits managers in the United States. At $149,230 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Compensation and benefits manager salary FAQ
How much does a compensation and benefits manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a compensation and benefits manager is $71.75. The middle half of compensation and benefits managers earn between $54.41 and $96.45 per hour.
What is the highest compensation and benefits manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of compensation and benefits managers earn more than $256,570 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a compensation and benefits manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a compensation and benefits manager is $149,230. The average (mean) wage of $162,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a compensation and benefits manager a well paid job?
At $149,230 a year, a compensation and benefits manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,940 people work as compensation and benefits managers in the United States.
Which state pays compensation and benefits managers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for compensation and benefits managers at $199,190 a year. Connecticut ($197,970) and Massachusetts ($184,070) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a compensation and benefits manager a good career?
Employment of compensation and benefits managers is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a compensation and benefits manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for compensation and benefits managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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