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The differences between benefit directors and benefits managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a benefit director and a benefits manager. Additionally, a benefit director has an average salary of $110,567, which is higher than the $64,064 average annual salary of a benefits manager.
The top three skills for a benefit director include human resources, oversight and ERISA. The most important skills for a benefits manager are HR, customer service, and HRIS.
| Benefit Director | Benefits Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $110,567 | $64,064 |
| Hourly rate | $53.16 | $30.80 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 9,650 | 11,164 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Benefits directors are professionals who plan and direct the overall design, implementation, and administration of an organization's health and welfare benefits programs. To support the decision making of the management, these directors are required to analyze benefit options and predict future costs. They should study programs so that they can identify benefit options as well as obtain advice from consultants. Benefits directors must study existing and new legislation so that they can comply with federal, state, and legal requirements and advise the management on needed actions.
A benefits manager is primarily in charge of overseeing and handling a company's benefits programs and projects for employees. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with human resources to gather accurate data, improve existing benefits programs, and creating new ones in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. A benefits manager may also liaise with external agencies, develop activities for employee welfare, and resolve any issues regarding the benefits programs. Furthermore, they may perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports and presentations, manage budgets, and maintain records of all transactions.
Benefit directors and benefits managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Benefit Director | Benefits Manager | |
| Average salary | $110,567 | $64,064 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $165,000 | Between $39,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Cornerstone Research | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a benefit director and a benefits manager in terms of educational background:
| Benefit Director | Benefits Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between benefit directors' and benefits managers' demographics:
| Benefit Director | Benefits Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0% | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 7.9% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 35% | 35% |