Post job

Compensation analyst vs specialist

The differences between compensation analysts and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a compensation analyst, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a compensation analyst has an average salary of $66,487, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for a compensation analyst include HR, compensation programs and HRIS. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Compensation analyst vs specialist overview

Compensation AnalystSpecialist
Yearly salary$66,487$58,013
Hourly rate$31.96$27.89
Growth rate7%10%
Number of jobs19,344358,433
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4542
Years of experience62

What does a compensation analyst do?

Compensation analysts are responsible for managing company compensation programs by evaluating and analyzing employees' salaries, assist the planning and development of a new and modified sales compensation plan, as well as managing sales compensation short-term incentive programs. The compensation programs are used to improve hiring and boost employee retention. These analysts are skilled and knowledgeable about managing labor costs, benefits structures, and compensation analysis to determine if the employees are fairly compensated.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Compensation analyst vs specialist salary

Compensation analysts and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Compensation AnalystSpecialist
Average salary$66,487$58,013
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $90,000Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Jersey
Best paying companyMetaThe Citadel
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between compensation analyst and specialist education

There are a few differences between a compensation analyst and a specialist in terms of educational background:

Compensation AnalystSpecialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Compensation analyst vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between compensation analysts' and specialists' demographics:

Compensation AnalystSpecialist
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 36.2% Female, 63.8%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between compensation analyst and specialist duties and responsibilities

Compensation analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendor relationships with fiscal oversight, and ongoing cost management.
  • Manage long-term incentive plan administration including SARP and stock option granting programs (LTI).
  • Create and manage communication materials via PowerPoint publish to sales organization.
  • Report and manage company healthcare budget and direct all vendor relationships.
  • Manage special projects, develop senior level presentations and handle communications on behalf of SVP
  • Provide oversight of sales compensation short-term incentive programs.
  • Show more

Specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
  • Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
  • Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
  • Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
  • Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
  • Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).
  • Show more

Compensation analyst vs specialist skills

Common compensation analyst skills
  • HR, 12%
  • Compensation Programs, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
Common specialist skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Exceptional Client, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs