Benefits representative vs benefits assistant

The differences between benefits representatives and benefits assistants 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 representative and a benefits assistant. Additionally, a benefits assistant has an average salary of $39,850, which is higher than the $38,694 average annual salary of a benefits representative.

The top three skills for a benefits representative include customer service, patients and insurance coverage. The most important skills for a benefits assistant are human resources, data entry, and cobra.

Benefits representative vs benefits assistant overview

	Benefits Representative	Benefits Assistant
Yearly salary	$38,694	$39,850
Hourly rate	$18.60	$19.16
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	13,058	25,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	6	6

What does a benefits representative do?

A benefits representative is responsible for facilitating and disseminating information about benefits programs and policies across all employees in the company. Benefits representatives respond to the employees' inquiries and concerns of benefits processes, update their benefits information, and resolve discrepancies and disputes. They also support the company's initiatives on developing new benefits plans, implementing campaigns, as well as writing application guides for reference. A benefits representative should have excellent communication and organizational skills as they also conduct surveys to check the efficiency and effectiveness of the benefits programs and adjusting procedures as needed.

What does a benefits assistant do?

Typically working in a human resources department, a benefits assistant is in charge of performing clerical support tasks for an efficient workflow. They primarily communicate with employees to answer inquiries regarding benefits and compensation programs, assist in processing documents, and resolve issues and concerns. Their responsibilities also include conducting research and analysis, liaising with external parties such as vendors and suppliers, organizing documents, and maintaining records. Above all, it is essential to carry out duties while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Benefits representative vs benefits assistant salary

Benefits representatives and benefits assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Benefits Representative	Benefits Assistant
Average salary	$38,694	$39,850
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $31,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Washington
Best paying company	BlackRock	Irving Isd
Best paying industry	Finance	Government

Differences between benefits representative and benefits assistant education

There are a few differences between a benefits representative and a benefits assistant in terms of educational background:

	Benefits Representative	Benefits Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Benefits representative vs benefits assistant demographics

Here are the differences between benefits representatives' and benefits assistants' demographics:

	Benefits Representative	Benefits Assistant
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7%	Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between benefits representative and benefits assistant duties and responsibilities

Benefits representative example 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.
Contact any FSA or HRA groups concerning any outstanding payments for claims and/or admin fee invoices.
Produce benefit-related reports from HRIS.

Benefits assistant example responsibilities.

Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
Audit HIPAA and outgoing correspondence.
Maintain strict confidentiality, observing HIPAA and other policies and guidelines.
Post patient payments, verify insurance coverage for new and Medicaid patients.
Provide information, education and assistance to clients regarding Medicare and Medicaid by phone and in person.
Audit, correct and record all attendance records, vacation records, vacation carryover and vacation/sick accruals.

Benefits representative vs benefits assistant skills

Common benefits representative skills

Customer Service, 18%
Patients, 18%
Insurance Coverage, 8%
Medicaid, 6%
Insurance Carriers, 5%
Term Disability, 4%

Common benefits assistant skills

Human Resources, 10%
Data Entry, 8%
Cobra, 7%
Health Insurance, 7%
Open Enrollment, 6%
HRIS, 5%

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Benefits Representative
Benefits Representative vs Benefits Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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