Compensation and Benefits Managers
O*NET 11-3111.00 · SOC 11-3111
Compensation and Benefits Manager is a solid career choice. Median pay is $149k a year with +1.1% projected growth through 2035 (slower than average) and about 1,600 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Review and update employee salary structures and pay grades
- →Analyze compensation surveys to ensure competitive pay rates
- →Oversee administration of health, dental, and retirement benefit plans
- →Ensure compensation programs comply with federal and state wage laws
- →Present benefits enrollment options to employees during open enrollment
Education & How to Get In
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Compensation and Benefits Manager roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.
Get Started Learning
Ready to start building skills for a career as a Compensation and Benefits Manager? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.
Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.
Work Environment
Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid
Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Compensation and Benefits Manager involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Compensation and Benefits Manager?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Compensation and Benefits Manager Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
Explore More Careers
Job Outlook
Employment of Compensation and Benefits Managers is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·43% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Compensation and Benefits Manager make?
The median Compensation and Benefits Manager earns $149k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Compensation and Benefits Manager jobs?
Our model puts Compensation and Benefits Manager at 38 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 43% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.
Is Compensation and Benefits Manager a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 1.1% between 2025 and 2035, which is slower than average. That works out to roughly 1,600 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Compensation and Benefits Manager?
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Compensation and Benefits Manager roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.
How long does it take to become a Compensation and Benefits Manager?
Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Compensation and Benefits Manager career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes