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What is a benefits assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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A benefits assistant is generally responsible for administering the employee health insurance plans for state, research foundation, and student employees. They usually work in the benefits division within the human resource services department; this position requires strict confidentiality with sensitive employee information. They are required to educate, inform, and counsel employees regarding employee benefits, including medical, dental, and vision for a diverse employee population (i.e., faculty, staff, graduate students, etc.).

It will help if applicants get a bachelor's degree alongside prior experience in health insurance and services. Additionally, computer proficiency is also preferred.

Benefits Assistants in America make an average salary of $35,728 per year or $17 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $41,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $30,000 per year.

ScoreBenefits AssistantUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,850

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 7.94%

Black or African American 10.47%

Hispanic or Latino 15.43%

Unknown 3.76%

White 61.97%

Gender

female 84.25%

male 15.75%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Benefits assistant career paths

Key steps to become a benefits assistant

  1. Explore benefits assistant education requirements

    Most common benefits assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    62.3 %

    Associate

    18.8 %

    Master's

    7.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific benefits assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Human Resources10.46%
    Data Entry8.29%
    Cobra7.31%
    Health Insurance6.99%
    Open Enrollment5.60%
  3. Complete relevant benefits assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New benefits assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a benefits assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real benefits assistant resumes.
  4. Research benefits assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
    • Audit HIPAA and outgoing correspondence.
    • Maintain strict confidentiality, observing HIPAA and other policies and guidelines.
    • Post patient payments, verify insurance coverage for new and Medicaid patients.
  5. Prepare your benefits assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your benefits assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a benefits assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable benefits assistant resume templates

    Build a professional benefits assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your benefits assistant resume.
    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
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    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
    Benefits Assistant Resume
  6. Apply for benefits assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a benefits assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first benefits assistant job

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Average benefits assistant salary

The average benefits assistant salary in the United States is $39,850 per year or $19 per hour. Benefits assistant salaries range between $31,000 and $50,000 per year.

Average benefits assistant salary
$39,850 Yearly
$19.16 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do benefits assistants rate their job?

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Benefits assistant reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

Being alone and not having my partner, did this to end up with nothing has a car now I don't even have that ended up homeless and my partner taken.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

I like the interaction with staff, possible candidates, & hiring managers. I possess not only professionalism but friendliness, too. I'm a team player with a positive attitude and enjoy building relationships and helping possible candidates find their career path.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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