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Benefits counselor vs benefits analyst

The differences between benefits counselors and benefits analysts 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 counselor and a benefits analyst. Additionally, a benefits counselor has an average salary of $72,268, which is higher than the $50,944 average annual salary of a benefits analyst.

The top three skills for a benefits counselor include veterans, HR and open enrollment. The most important skills for a benefits analyst are customer service, HR, and HRIS.

Benefits counselor vs benefits analyst overview

Benefits CounselorBenefits Analyst
Yearly salary$72,268$50,944
Hourly rate$34.74$24.49
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs34,13220,211
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a benefits counselor do?

A benefits counselor manages the company or organization's employee benefits programs. Job responsibilities may include designing and administering the benefits program to ensure company and employee needs are met, as well as assisting and educating employees in benefits enrollment activities. This job requires a full understanding of health care benefits, comprising medical, dental, and life insurance, including knowledge of pertinent regulations and legislation. In addition, benefits counselors may also need to be knowledgeable and updated with other incentives such as pensions and stock ownership.

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.

Benefits counselor vs benefits analyst salary

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

Benefits CounselorBenefits Analyst
Average salary$72,268$50,944
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $118,000Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Amd
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between benefits counselor and benefits analyst education

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

Benefits CounselorBenefits Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Benefits counselor vs benefits analyst demographics

Here are the differences between benefits counselors' and benefits analysts' demographics:

Benefits CounselorBenefits Analyst
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 34.3% Female, 65.7%Male, 27.8% Female, 72.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between benefits counselor and benefits analyst duties and responsibilities

Benefits counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendors for medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, HSA, long-term care and work-life resource and referral programs.
  • Utilize HIPAA confidentiality of all employee data.
  • Follow all HIPAA guidelines as required by law.
  • Follow HIPPA by verifying the member's identity.
  • Handle plan claims and appeals in ERISA and non-ERISA plans.
  • Simplify and improve the FMLA process, procedures, and paperwork.
  • Show more

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

Benefits counselor vs benefits analyst skills

Common benefits counselor skills
  • Veterans, 20%
  • HR, 12%
  • Open Enrollment, 11%
  • Annuities, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Term Disability, 3%
Common benefits analyst skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • HR, 8%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • RFP, 4%

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