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Benefit Specialist Vs Benefits Manager

The differences between benefit specialists 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 specialist and a benefits manager. Additionally, a benefits manager has an average salary of $64,064, 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 manager are HR, customer service, and HRIS.

Benefit specialist vs benefits manager overview

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Manager
Yearly Salary$48,756$64,064
Hourly rate$23.44$30.80
Growth Rate7%2%
Number Of Jobs31,66311,164
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average Age4546
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 manager do?

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 specialist vs benefits manager salary

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

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Manager
Average Salary$48,756$64,064
Salary RangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $39,000 And $104,000
Highest Paying CitySan Francisco, CAPhiladelphia, PA
Highest Paying StateConnecticutPennsylvania
Best Paying CompanyQorvoMicrosoft
Best Paying IndustryFinanceTechnology

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits manager education

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

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Manager
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefit specialist vs benefits manager demographics

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

Benefit SpecialistBenefits Manager
Average Age4546
Gender RatioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%35%

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits manager 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 Manager Example Responsibilities.

  • Lead a successful transition of payroll, time and labor, benefits and general ledger to PeopleSoft.
  • Collaborate with ADP to ensure system readiness and manage benefit communications.
  • Lead departmental PeopleSoft projects and initiatives; involve in systems testing when additional system upgrades are implemented.
  • Coordinate annual open enrollment, update benefits within HRIS, reconcile monthly statements and approve premium statements for payment.
  • Insure HIPPA compliance as it relates to payroll and human resources.
  • Create monthly charge back reports for FSA and all other benefits for finance.
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Benefit specialist vs benefits manager skills

Common Benefit Specialist Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%
Common Benefits Manager Skills
  • HR, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Open Enrollment, 5%

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