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Benefits analyst vs senior benefits specialist

The differences between benefits analysts and senior benefits 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 benefits analyst and a senior benefits specialist. Additionally, a benefits analyst has an average salary of $50,944, which is higher than the $50,211 average annual salary of a senior benefits specialist.

The top three skills for a benefits analyst include customer service, HR and HRIS. The most important skills for a senior benefits specialist are customer service, HR, and HRIS.

Benefits analyst vs senior benefits specialist overview

Benefits AnalystSenior Benefits Specialist
Yearly salary$50,944$50,211
Hourly rate$24.49$24.14
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs20,21134,999
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a benefits analyst do?

A Benefits Analyst is responsible for administering and communicating benefit programs for an organization. They attract and retain employees through researching, recommending, and explaining benefit programs.

What does a senior benefits specialist do?

Typically working in a company's human resources department, a senior benefits specialist manages benefits and compensation programs for the employees. They are mostly in charge of designing and developing plans for retirement, stock ownership, healthcare, and pension. To carry out their duties, they must perform extensive research and analysis, coordinate efforts with staff and other experts, put costs and budgets into consideration, and liaise with external parties such as vendors and plan providers, building positive relationships for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a senior benefits specialist must also assist employees by answering their inquiries and explaining how the benefits programs work.

Benefits analyst vs senior benefits specialist salary

Benefits analysts and senior benefits specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Benefits AnalystSenior Benefits Specialist
Average salary$50,944$50,211
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $70,000Between $34,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyAmd-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between benefits analyst and senior benefits specialist education

There are a few differences between a benefits analyst and a senior benefits specialist in terms of educational background:

Benefits AnalystSenior Benefits Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefits analyst vs senior benefits specialist demographics

Here are the differences between benefits analysts' and senior benefits specialists' demographics:

Benefits AnalystSenior Benefits Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 27.8% Female, 72.2%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.8% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between benefits analyst and senior benefits specialist duties and responsibilities

Benefits analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage relationships with all FSA clients including supporting their employee inquiries, reporting, and explain policy and procedure.
  • Manage regulatory compliance with federal and state leave laws such as FMLA, ADA, CFRA, PDL and FEHA.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Develop data analysis procedures to comply with ACA regulations.
  • Screen clients for Medicaid and other health insurance eligibility.
  • Provide functional expertise and leadership of retiree benefits administration during the RFP selection process for outsourcing retirement administration.
  • Show more

Senior benefits specialist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage leave of absence program in accordance with company policy, FMLA and applicable state laws.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Coordinate with STD/FMLA carrier and payroll to process disability and FMLA claims.
  • Set up new hires in Kronos time & labor system as well as work schedules.
  • Act as liaison with vendors to insure accurate and timely claims processing according to HCFA, HIPAA and Medicare guidelines.
  • Prepare weekly payroll utilizing Kronos software.
  • Show more

Benefits analyst vs senior benefits specialist skills

Common benefits analyst skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • HR, 8%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • RFP, 4%
Common senior benefits specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • HR, 9%
  • HRIS, 7%
  • Life Insurance, 4%
  • Benefits Administration, 4%
  • Cobra, 4%

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