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Benefit Specialist Vs Benefits & Payroll Administrator

The differences between benefit specialists and benefits & payroll administrators 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 & payroll administrator. Additionally, a benefits & payroll administrator has an average salary of $50,662, 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 & payroll administrator are human resources, HRIS, and cobra.

Benefit specialist vs benefits & payroll administrator overview

Benefit SpecialistBenefits & Payroll Administrator
Yearly Salary$48,756$50,662
Hourly rate$23.44$24.36
Growth Rate7%7%
Number Of Jobs31,66361,356
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
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 & payroll administrator do?

The Benefits and Payroll Administrator manages the company's payroll, ensuring work benefits and employee documents are secure. The administrator also delivers employees' issues and concerns to the company's proper channels. This position also helps in the audit of the company and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. This administrative position requires bookkeeping knowledge, a bachelor's degree, and experience in using spreadsheets and accounting software.

Benefit specialist vs benefits & payroll administrator salary

Benefit specialists and benefits & payroll administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Benefit SpecialistBenefits & Payroll Administrator
Average Salary$48,756$50,662
Salary RangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest Paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Jose, CA
Highest Paying StateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best Paying CompanyQorvoHGA
Best Paying IndustryFinanceProfessional

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits & payroll administrator education

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

Benefit SpecialistBenefits & Payroll Administrator
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefit specialist vs benefits & payroll administrator demographics

Here are the differences between benefit specialists' and benefits & payroll administrators' demographics:

Benefit SpecialistBenefits & Payroll Administrator
Average Age4545
Gender RatioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 11.7% Female, 88.3%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between benefit specialist and benefits & payroll administrator 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.
  • Show More

Benefits & Payroll Administrator Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage HRIS, recruiting, training, and time and attendance programs as well as trouble shooting.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Ensure accuracy of all benefit enrollments and life status changes record in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
  • Complete weekly internal payroll reports and fund employee accounts (HSA and 401K).
  • Process benefit elections, merit raises, salary changes, garnishments, cobra and severance.
  • Administer employee benefits programs including group medical, dental, vision, group life and FSA.
  • Show More

Benefit specialist vs benefits & payroll administrator skills

Common Benefit Specialist Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%
Common Benefits & Payroll Administrator Skills
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Cobra, 6%
  • Payroll System, 4%
  • Open Enrollment, 4%
  • ADP Payroll, 4%

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