Benefits representative vs service representative

The differences between benefits representatives and service representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a benefits representative, becoming a service representative takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a benefits representative has an average salary of $38,694, which is higher than the $33,692 average annual salary of a service representative.

The top three skills for a benefits representative include customer service, patients and insurance coverage. The most important skills for a service representative are customer service, client service, and patients.

Benefits representative vs service representative overview

	Benefits Representative	Service Representative
Yearly salary	$38,694	$33,692
Hourly rate	$18.60	$16.20
Growth rate	7%	-4%
Number of jobs	13,058	210,671
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	45	40
Years of experience	6	12

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 service representative do?

Service representatives handle customer inquiries, requests, complaints, and other general feedback. They are usually the first point of contact with the company's customers. Service representatives are expected to be familiar with all of the company's products so that they can answer all inquiries made by the customers. They should also be familiar with company policies and guidelines on sales and customer handling so that they can address concerns and feedback. They are usually the ones who try to resolve customer complaints by sending issues to applicable departments and ensuring that customers are satisfied with the company's products and services.

Benefits representative vs service representative salary

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

	Benefits Representative	Service Representative
Average salary	$38,694	$33,692
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $24,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	BlackRock	Northern Trust
Best paying industry	Finance	Government

Differences between benefits representative and service representative education

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

	Benefits Representative	Service Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Benefits representative vs service representative demographics

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

	Benefits Representative	Service Representative
Average age	45	40
Gender ratio	Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7%	Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between benefits representative and service representative 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.

Service representative example responsibilities.

Utilize QuickBooks to manage patient's payment for hearing aids and various equipment.
Join online marketplace specializing in local deals to manage customer engagements while providing industry-best service.
Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to Medicare insurance.
Involve great interpersonal skills and upselling.
Provide excellent customer service via ZenDesk e-mail platform.
Counsele individuals who are applying for or receiving TANF.

Benefits representative vs service representative skills

Common benefits representative skills

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

Common service representative skills

Customer Service, 9%
Client Service, 8%
Patients, 7%
PET, 5%
Front Desk, 5%
Veterans, 5%

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Business and Financial Industry
Benefits Representative
Benefits Representative vs Service Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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