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The differences between benefits managers and human resources consultants 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 human resources consultant. Additionally, a human resources consultant has an average salary of $71,882, 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 human resources consultant are performance management, shared services, and workforce planning.
| Benefits Manager | Human Resources Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $64,064 | $71,882 |
| Hourly rate | $30.80 | $34.56 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 11,164 | 52,761 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| 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 human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.
Benefits managers and human resources consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Benefits Manager | Human Resources Consultant | |
| Average salary | $64,064 | $71,882 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $104,000 | Between $53,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a benefits manager and a human resources consultant in terms of educational background:
| Benefits Manager | Human Resources Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between benefits managers' and human resources consultants' demographics:
| Benefits Manager | Human Resources Consultant | |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% |
| 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, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 35% | 18% |