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The differences between benefits managers and compensation directors 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 compensation director. Additionally, a compensation director has an average salary of $117,485, 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 compensation director are human resources, healthcare, and HRIS.
| Benefits Manager | Compensation Director | |
| Yearly Salary | $64,064 | $117,485 |
| Hourly rate | $30.80 | $56.48 |
| Growth Rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number Of Jobs | 11,164 | 18,492 |
| Job Satisfaction | - | - |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average Age | 46 | 46 |
| 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 compensation director spearheads and oversees an organization or company's compensation programs, ensuring they adhere to state and federal standards. They primarily set objectives and guidelines among their staff, delegate responsibilities, facilitate research and assessments, and develop strategies to optimize compensation operations. They also lead the development of employee benefits, including salary structures, retirement plans, and insurance policies. Additionally, as a director, it is essential to empower staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Benefits managers and compensation directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Benefits Manager | Compensation Director | |
| Average Salary | $64,064 | $117,485 |
| Salary Range | Between $39,000 And $104,000 | Between $85,000 And $160,000 |
| Highest Paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Beaverton, OR |
| Highest Paying State | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
| Best Paying Company | Microsoft | Milbank |
| Best Paying Industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a benefits manager and a compensation director in terms of educational background:
| Benefits Manager | Compensation Director | |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most Common Major | Business | Business |
| Most Common College | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between benefits managers' and compensation directors' demographics:
| Benefits Manager | Compensation Director | |
| Average Age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender Ratio | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% | Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2% |
| 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, 11.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 8.3% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 35% | 35% |