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Benefit specialist vs senior human resources specialist

The differences between benefit specialists and senior human resources specialists 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 senior human resources specialist. Additionally, a senior human resources specialist has an average salary of $63,956, 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 senior human resources specialist are payroll, customer service, and HRIS.

Benefit specialist vs senior human resources specialist overview

Benefit SpecialistSenior Human Resources Specialist
Yearly salary$48,756$63,956
Hourly rate$23.44$30.75
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs31,66346,316
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4541
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 senior human resources specialist do?

A senior human resources specialist is responsible for monitoring the human resources operations of an organization, managing employment processes and policies, and handling staffing needs and concerns. Senior human resources specialists design training and programs to maintain staff's efficiency and maximize the employees' productivity to support business functional operations. They also coordinate with management leaders to identify their hiring needs, evaluating their specifications for recruitment. A senior human resources specialist reviews the company's policies and guidelines regularly, adjusting procedures according to state regulations and business requirements.

Benefit specialist vs senior human resources specialist salary

Benefit specialists and senior human resources specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Benefit SpecialistSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average salary$48,756$63,956
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $45,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyQorvoEdwards Lifesciences
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between benefit specialist and senior human resources specialist education

There are a few differences between a benefit specialist and a senior human resources specialist in terms of educational background:

Benefit SpecialistSenior Human Resources Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefit specialist vs senior human resources specialist demographics

Here are the differences between benefit specialists' and senior human resources specialists' demographics:

Benefit SpecialistSenior Human Resources Specialist
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between benefit specialist and senior human resources specialist 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

Senior human resources specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead annual EEO-1 reporting team.
  • Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
  • Maintain and update personnel records in Peoplesoft and Kronos computer programs.
  • Participate in regular system updates as well as providing data integrity and functionality in a global HRIS environment.
  • Process I9's through HireRight.
  • Experience in Microsoft office products and payroll/personnel systems such as Lawson and KRONOS.
  • Show more

Benefit specialist vs senior human resources specialist skills

Common benefit specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%
Common senior human resources specialist skills
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Develop Recommendations, 5%
  • Provide Technical Assistance, 5%

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