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What is a benefits representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Benefits representatives, also known as benefits administrators, are tasked with the management of employee benefits in all company processes. They facilitate and distribute information about benefits programs and policies to all employees in the company.

They respond to the employees' inquiries and concerns about benefits processes, update their benefits information, and resolve discrepancies and disputes. Furthermore, they support the company's initiatives on developing new benefits plans, implementing campaigns, and writing application guides for reference. Additionally, they enlighten employees on all company benefits.

This personnel works for companies, corporations, government agencies, and benefits consulting and management agencies. The minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, a bachelor's degree in human resources is preferable. Candidates must have at least two years of experience. You must possess communication and organization skills. The average base pay is $35,320 annually or $16.98 per hour. It falls between $30,000 and $40,000.

ScoreBenefits RepresentativeUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,694

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 6.96%

Black or African American 11.03%

Hispanic or Latino 16.17%

Unknown 3.63%

White 61.87%

Gender

female 69.68%

male 30.32%

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 representative career paths

Key steps to become a benefits representative

  1. Explore benefits representative education requirements

    Most common benefits representative degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.5 %

    Associate

    19.2 %

    High School Diploma

    10.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific benefits representative skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service18.45%
    Patients17.64%
    Insurance Coverage7.70%
    Medicaid6.42%
    Insurance Carriers4.62%
  3. Complete relevant benefits representative training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New benefits representatives 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 representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real benefits representative resumes.
  4. Research benefits representative duties and responsibilities

    • Determine eligibility and process FMLA initial notification letters for employees which lead to immediate use of benefits.
    • Service consumers inbound inquires via phone and live chat regarding HRA, FSA and HSA accounts.
    • Work with clients to ensure ACA compliance.
    • Train in and apply HIPAA privacy and security regulations and maintain strict confidentiality of claims.
  5. Prepare your benefits representative resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your benefits representative 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 representative 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 representative resume templates

    Build a professional benefits representative 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 representative resume.
    Benefits Representative Resume
    Benefits Representative Resume
    Benefits Representative Resume
    Benefits Representative Resume
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    Benefits Representative Resume
    Benefits Representative Resume
    Benefits Representative Resume
  6. Apply for benefits representative jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a benefits representative 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 representative job

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Average benefits representative salary

The average benefits representative salary in the United States is $38,694 per year or $19 per hour. Benefits representative salaries range between $29,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average benefits representative salary
$38,694 Yearly
$18.60 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do benefits representatives rate their job?

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Benefits representative 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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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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