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Benefit Specialist Vs Specialist

The differences between benefit specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a benefit specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a specialist has an average salary of $58,013, 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 specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Benefit specialist vs specialist overview

Benefit SpecialistSpecialist
Yearly Salary$48,756$58,013
Hourly rate$23.44$27.89
Growth Rate7%10%
Number Of Jobs31,663358,433
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average Age4542
Years Of Experience62

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 specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Benefit specialist vs specialist salary

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

Benefit SpecialistSpecialist
Average Salary$48,756$58,013
Salary RangeBetween $34,000 And $68,000Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest Paying CitySan Francisco, CAJersey City, NJ
Highest Paying StateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best Paying CompanyQorvoThe Citadel
Best Paying IndustryFinance-

Differences between benefit specialist and specialist education

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

Benefit SpecialistSpecialist
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Benefit specialist vs specialist demographics

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

Benefit SpecialistSpecialist
Average Age4542
Gender RatioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
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, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between benefit specialist and 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.
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Specialist Example Responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
  • Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
  • Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
  • Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
  • Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
  • Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).
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Benefit specialist vs specialist skills

Common Benefit Specialist Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%
Common Specialist Skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Exceptional Client, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%

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