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The differences between benefits managers and benefits counselors 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 manager and a benefits counselor. Additionally, a benefits counselor has an average salary of $72,268, which is higher than the $64,064 average annual salary of a benefits manager.
The top three skills for a benefits manager include HR, customer service and HRIS. The most important skills for a benefits counselor are veterans, HR, and open enrollment.
| Benefits Manager | Benefits Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $64,064 | $72,268 |
| Hourly rate | $30.80 | $34.74 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 11,164 | 34,132 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 46 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A benefits manager is primarily in charge of overseeing and handling a company's benefits programs and projects for employees. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with human resources to gather accurate data, improve existing benefits programs, and creating new ones in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. A benefits manager may also liaise with external agencies, develop activities for employee welfare, and resolve any issues regarding the benefits programs. Furthermore, they may perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports and presentations, manage budgets, and maintain records of all transactions.
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.
Benefits managers and benefits counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Benefits Manager | Benefits Counselor | |
| Average salary | $64,064 | $72,268 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $104,000 | Between $44,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | - |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | - |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a benefits manager and a benefits counselor in terms of educational background:
| Benefits Manager | Benefits Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between benefits managers' and benefits counselors' demographics:
| Benefits Manager | Benefits Counselor | |
| Average age | 46 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 35% | 9% |