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Benefit specialist vs benefits advisor

The differences between benefit specialists and benefits advisors 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 specialist and a benefits advisor. Additionally, a benefits advisor has an average salary of $71,377, which is higher than the $48,756 average annual salary of a benefit specialist.

The top three skills for a benefit specialist include customer service, HR and patients. The most important skills for a benefits advisor are insurance benefits, patients, and inbound calls.

Benefit specialist vs benefits advisor overview

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Advisor
Yearly salary$48,756$71,377
Hourly rate$23.44$34.32
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs31,66348,023
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a benefit specialist do?

A benefits specialist is responsible for analyzing and processing the compensation package of an organization, ensuring that the salary and benefits received by an employee adhere to the current legislation procedures. Benefits specialists develop benefits programs, adjusting pension plans and insurance options as needed, and updating the employees on recent updates and changes. A benefits specialist responds to employees' inquiries, addresses their concerns, and manages benefits issues. A benefits specialist must have a clear understanding of benefits policies and processes to educate employees about the benefits structure.

What does a benefits advisor do?

A benefits advisor specializes in devising benefits programs and strategies for a workforce, ensuring they are well-compensated for their hard work. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the needs of employees in a company, studying the benefit programs of competitors, and assessing the existing programs while putting the company's welfare into consideration. They must prepare reports and presentations for clients, provide cost-estimates and business plans, and evaluate risks, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

Benefit specialist vs benefits advisor salary

Benefit specialists and benefits advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Advisor
Average salary$48,756$71,377
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $46,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyQorvoChevron
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits advisor education

There are a few differences between a benefit specialist and a benefits advisor in terms of educational background:

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefit specialist vs benefits advisor demographics

Here are the differences between benefit specialists' and benefits advisors' demographics:

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Advisor
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 41.2% Female, 58.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits advisor duties and responsibilities

Benefit specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage various employee program such as life, medical, dental pension, and HSA accounts.
  • Examine HMO documents to verify eligibility to process or reject into or from a manage care plan when necessary.
  • Input daily time and PTO, manage benefits, report new hires, input sales, oversee accounts receivable.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Implement new vendor for FSA administration and manage outstanding issues through continuous follow-up and vendor accountability.
  • Analyze, process and manage FMLA claims to determine eligibility and certification in compliance with state and federal regulations.
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Benefits advisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage broker and group accounts throughout the year administering qualify changes, terminations, and ACA compliance.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Function as a liaison between the patient, hospital and governmental agencies to obtain documentation require for Medicaid eligibility determination.
  • Maintain employee benefit records in HRIS system, including qualifying event records, personal information updates, and employment status changes.
  • Evaluate patients for existing insurance coverage, federal and state assistance programs, or hospital charity application.
  • Use tactful and effective interview techniques to obtain pertinent information to assure accurate eligibility determination for Medicaid.
  • Show more

Benefit specialist vs benefits advisor skills

Common benefit specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%
Common benefits advisor skills
  • Insurance Benefits, 21%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Inbound Calls, 10%
  • Medicare Advantage, 6%
  • Insurance Products, 6%
  • Medicaid, 5%

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