Become A Benefit Specialist
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Benefit Specialist
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Interacting With Computers
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Mostly Sitting
$73,310
Average Salary
What Does A Benefit Specialist Do
How To Become A Benefit Specialist
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree, and some specialists need related work experience.
EducationMost employers require that compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists have a bachelor’s degree. Many specialists have a degree in human resources, business administration, finance, communication, or a related field. Some employers may accept previous work experience in lieu of a formal degree.
Not all colleges and universities offer an undergraduate degree in human resources, but many offer courses in human resources management, compensation analysis, and benefits administration. Students with a background in other disciplines may benefit from taking courses in business, management, finance, and accounting.
Work Experience in a Related OccupationFor many jobs, compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists must have previous work experience. Employers commonly require that the previous experience includes performing compensation analysis, benefits administration, or general human resources work. Experience in related fields such as finance, insurance, or business administration, also may be beneficial.
Jobseekers without a degree in human resources must have relevant work experience. Some workers may gain this experience through internships. However, most gain experience from working in human resources.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAlthough certification is not required, it can demonstrate professional expertise. Some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, but many employers will have their employees become certified after they are already working. Certification programs for management positions often require several years of related work experience in order to qualify for the credential.
Many associations for human resources workers offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and WorldatWork, offer certification programs that specialize in compensation and benefits. Others, including the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management, offer general human resources credentials.
AdvancementCompensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists may advance to a compensation and benefits manager or a human resources manager position. Specialists typically need several years of work experience to advance.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Many specialists perform data or cost analyses to form logical conclusions. For example, they may analyze the cost of choosing a particular salary scale for a class of workers.
Business acumen. Specialists must understand basic finance and accounting.
Communication skills. Specialists often work with employees throughout their organization to provide information on compensation and benefits. They may give presentations or advise managers or employees about compensation policies or benefit plans.
Critical-thinking skills. Specialists must think critically when evaluating job positions, salary scales, promotion practices, and other compensation and benefits policies.
Detail oriented. Specialists must pay attention to detail, especially when ensuring that the organization is compliant with federal and state laws.
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Benefit Specialist jobs
Benefit Specialist Career Paths
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Senior Benefits Specialist 4.4 years
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Employee Benefits Specialist 3.8 years
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Benefits Manager 3.8 years
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Employee Benefits Supervisor 3.8 years
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Benefits Analyst 3.3 years
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Billing Specialist 3.1 years
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Compensation/Benefits Specialist 3.0 years
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Benefit Specialist 3.0 years
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Insurance Specialist 2.8 years
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Reimbursement Specialist 2.8 years
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Benefits Assistant 2.5 years
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Benefits Representative 2.3 years
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Verification Specialist 1.4 years
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Administrative Assistant 10.9%
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Office Manager 6.1%
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Sales Associate 4.3%
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Receptionist 3.2%
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Assistant Manager 2.9%
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Internship 2.8%
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Cashier 2.8%
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Office Assistant 2.7%
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Benefits Analyst 2.3%
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Billing Specialist 2.1%
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Account Manager 2.1%
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Human Resources Manager 10.7%
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Benefits Analyst 5.9%
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Office Manager 5.1%
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Benefits Manager 4.1%
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Account Manager 2.9%
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Billing Specialist 2.8%
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Specialist 2.4%
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Payroll Specialist 2.2%
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Recruiter 2.2%
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Manager 2.0%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Benefit Specialist
Top Careers After Benefit Specialist
Benefit Specialist Demographics
Gender
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Female
77.9% -
Male
20.3% -
Unknown
1.8%
Ethnicity
-
White
80.6% -
Hispanic or Latino
10.6% -
Asian
6.8% -
Unknown
1.4% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
68.4% -
French
6.3% -
Carrier
3.7% -
Portuguese
3.2% -
Italian
3.0% -
German
2.7% -
Russian
1.4% -
Vietnamese
1.3% -
Hindi
1.3% -
Korean
1.3% -
Chinese
1.3% -
Mandarin
1.0% -
Japanese
1.0% -
Arabic
1.0% -
Urdu
0.6% -
Polish
0.6% -
Swedish
0.5% -
Cantonese
0.5% -
Greek
0.5% -
Tagalog
0.5%
Benefit Specialist
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Benefit Specialist Education
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University of Phoenix
29.9% -
Strayer University
9.1% -
Southern New Hampshire University
6.1% -
Ashford University
4.4% -
Webster University
4.0% -
Capella University
3.9% -
Liberty University
3.9% -
Kaplan University
3.7% -
Villanova University
3.6% -
Michigan State University
3.5% -
Temple University
3.2% -
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
3.1% -
Florida State University
2.9% -
Towson University
2.8% -
Grand Canyon University
2.8% -
American InterContinental University
2.8% -
University of Maryland - University College
2.7% -
University of Houston
2.6% -
Indiana Wesleyan University
2.6% -
University of Central Florida
2.4% -
Business 34.8%
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Accounting 6.5%
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Psychology 5.6%
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Management 4.7%
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Communication 3.7%
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Criminal Justice 2.9%
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Liberal Arts 2.2%
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Marketing 2.2%
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Finance 2.1%
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Nursing 2.0%
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Education 2.0%
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Sociology 1.9%
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General Studies 1.8%
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English 1.6%
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Political Science 1.5%
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Human Services 1.4%
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Bachelors
41.7% -
Other
22.5% -
Masters
17.1% -
Associate
10.6% -
Certificate
5.8% -
Diploma
1.0% -
Doctorate
0.7% -
License
0.6%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Benefit Specialist
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Benefit Specialist Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits Specialist | Pricewaterhousecoopers | New York, NY | Nov 30, 2016 | $172,037 |
| Compens., Benefits & Job Analysis Specialists | Microsoft Corporation | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jul 22, 2011 | $108,000 |
| Health & Benefits Specialist-Actuarial | Hewitt Associates LLC | Newport Beach, CA | Apr 01, 2015 | $97,775 |
| Health and Welfare Benefits Specialist | United Technologies Corporation | Farmington, CT | Aug 27, 2015 | $91,416 - $113,500 |
| Health and Welfare Benefits Specialist | United Technologies Corporation | Farmington, CT | Sep 09, 2016 | $91,416 - $117,500 |
| Health and Wellness Benefits Specialist | United Technologies Corp | Farmington, CT | Jul 15, 2016 | $91,416 - $113,500 |
| Benefits Administration Consultant | IBM Corporation | Coppell, TX | Oct 31, 2016 | $85,197 - $135,000 |
| Global Retirement Benefits Specialist | Cummins Inc. | Nashville, TN | Sep 01, 2015 | $80,766 - $84,700 |
| Specialist-Benefits | Verizon Corporate Resources Group LLC | Ridgefield, NJ | Sep 15, 2010 | $79,254 |
| Health & Welfare Benefits Specialist | United Technologies Corporation | Hartford, CT | Jan 07, 2013 | $79,102 - $105,000 |
| Peoplesoft Benefits Admin | Erp Analysts, Inc. | San Leandro, CA | Sep 23, 2016 | $73,445 |
| Corporate Benefits Specialist | Mitek USA, Inc. | Chesterfield, MO | Aug 17, 2015 | $70,000 |
| Benefits Specialist | Wyoming Medical Center | Casper, WY | Oct 01, 2011 | $65,991 |
| Benefits Administrator | Sagatianz Inc. | Dallas, TX | Sep 16, 2016 | $65,000 |
| Health and Benefits Actuarial Specialist | AON Risk Services, Inc. of Maryland | Baltimore, MD | Aug 31, 2016 | $64,710 |
| Health & Benefits Specialist-Actuarial | Hewitt Associates LLC | Somerset, NJ | Sep 18, 2013 | $64,000 - $84,000 |
| Global Retirement Benefits Specialist | Cummins Inc. | Nashville, TN | Sep 12, 2012 | $63,128 - $77,300 |
| Comp., Benefits, & Job Analysis Specialists | Johnson Controls, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | Mar 16, 2012 | $61,360 - $85,690 |
| Health and Benefits Actuarial Specialist | AON Risk Services, Inc. of Maryland | Baltimore, MD | Sep 15, 2015 | $60,500 |
| Benefit Specialist | Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | Eagan, MN | Sep 28, 2014 | $58,728 |
| Global Retirement Benefits Specialist | Cummins Inc. | Nashville, TN | Jul 01, 2015 | $58,220 - $81,500 |
| Actuarial Benefits Specialist II (Retirement BEN. | Hewitt Associates LLC | The Woodlands, TX | Apr 07, 2011 | $57,512 - $72,000 |
| Corporate Benefits Administrator | Swissport USA, Inc. | Dulles Town Center, VA | Sep 23, 2012 | $53,000 |
| SR. Benefits Administrator | Pacific Coast Companies, Inc. | Rancho Cordova, CA | Oct 15, 2012 | $52,499 - $58,499 |
| Benefits Specialists | Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America, Inc. | Torrance, CA | Feb 20, 2008 | $50,443 |
| Health & Benefits Specialist-Actuarial | Hewitt Associates LLC | Atlanta, GA | Sep 14, 2013 | $50,000 - $84,000 |
| Benefits Specialist | The Peninsula Chicago, LLC | Chicago, IL | Sep 14, 2016 | $50,000 |
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Top Skills for A Benefit Specialist
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Top Benefit Specialist Skills
- Payroll System
- Cobra
- Long-Term Disability
- Maintained personnel files, the payroll system and pulled reports using ADP/PC Payroll, Report Smith and Etime systems.
- Conducted exit interviews, prepared COBRA and benefits termination notices for exiting employees.
- Processed Family Medical Leave and Short/Long-Term Disability.
- Developed long term relationships with Corporate Decision makers through strategy sessions and customer service of their employee benefit plans and renewals
- Processed Life Insurance Claims, LTD, FMLA and COBRA Administration, Workers Compensation and Retiree billing.
Top Benefit Specialist Employers
Aon Hewitt
Hewitt Associates
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