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What does a compensation/benefits specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Compensation/benefits specialists are professionals who manage and oversee the compensation and benefits of employees of an organization. These specialists are required to develop compensation programs that will improve the performance, engagement, and satisfaction of all employees. They must create and analyze the evaluations and classifications of job descriptions while conducting market research on salary and labor to define benchmarks. Compensation/benefits specialists must also ensure that compensation practices are following the current laws and regulations as well as assessing the needs of employees through organizational surveys.

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Compensation/benefits specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real compensation/benefits specialist resumes:

  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Generate and distribute FMLA approval/denial notification letters to the requesting associates via certify mail.
  • Recognize for improving the tracking system for personnel within the organization allowing oversight and knowledge of all instructors and administrative personnel.
  • Interpret requirements documents and benefits structures into enrollment system design using SQL coding used to drive benefit option eligibility.

Compensation/benefits specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Compensation/Benefits Specialists are proficient in HRIS, Cobra, and Compensation Programs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Compensation/Benefits Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • HRIS, 15%

    Delivered census data and performed audits for all employee benefit plans for system migration to new HRIS.

  • Cobra, 5%

    Directed the COBRA Program including notification, payment reconciliation and maintenance.

  • Compensation Programs, 5%

    Evaluated contracted medical practice compensation structure, made recommendations, and developed new compensation program for the corporation.

  • Open Enrollment, 5%

    Participate in planning and coordinate the implementation of periodic benefits open enrollment programs, including the development of content materials.

  • FMLA, 4%

    Administer leave program in FMLA and HR leave policies.

  • Federal Laws, 4%

    Ensured organization was in compliance with state and federal laws regarding compensation and benefits activities.

Most compensation/benefits specialists use their skills in "hris," "cobra," and "compensation programs" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential compensation/benefits specialist responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a compensation/benefits specialist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what compensation/benefits specialists do because "compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists perform data and cost analyses to evaluate their organization’s policies." Additionally, a compensation/benefits specialist resume shows how compensation/benefits specialists use analytical skills: "analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan"

Business skills. Another essential skill to perform compensation/benefits specialist duties is business skills. Compensation/benefits specialists responsibilities require that "specialists must understand basic finance and accounting." Compensation/benefits specialists also use business skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "researched and developed aca audit profile, assisting small business clients maintain compliance with new federal guidelines. "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for compensation/benefits specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how compensation/benefits specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "specialists need to provide information about compensation and benefits in a way that is understandable to employees at all levels throughout their organization." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a compensation/benefits specialist: "developed and implemented benefits communications strategy, including open enrollment materials and ongoing program offerings. ".

See the full list of compensation/benefits specialist skills

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Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume
Compensation/Benefits Specialist Resume

Compare different compensation/benefits specialists

Compensation/benefits specialist vs. Benefits & payroll administrator

The Benefits and Payroll Administrator manages the company's payroll, ensuring work benefits and employee documents are secure. The administrator also delivers employees' issues and concerns to the company's proper channels. This position also helps in the audit of the company and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. This administrative position requires bookkeeping knowledge, a bachelor's degree, and experience in using spreadsheets and accounting software.

The annual salary of benefits & payroll administrators is $1,478 lower than the average salary of compensation/benefits specialists.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both compensation/benefits specialist and benefits & payroll administrator positions are skilled in hris, cobra, and open enrollment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a compensation/benefits specialist are more likely to require skills like "compensation programs," "federal laws," "compensation policies," and "workers compensation." On the other hand, a job as a benefits & payroll administrator requires skills like "human resources," "adp payroll," "long-term disability," and "adp workforce." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Benefits & payroll administrators really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $55,595. Comparatively, compensation/benefits specialists tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $63,485.benefits & payroll administrators tend to reach lower levels of education than compensation/benefits specialists. In fact, benefits & payroll administrators are 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Compensation/benefits specialist vs. Benefits manager

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.

Benefits manager positions earn higher pay than compensation/benefits specialist roles. They earn a $11,924 higher salary than compensation/benefits specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both compensation/benefits specialists and benefits managers have skills such as "hris," "cobra," and "open enrollment. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, compensation/benefits specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "compensation programs," "compensation policies," "compensation surveys," and "salary surveys." Meanwhile, a benefits manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "hr," "customer service," "long-term disability," and "health insurance." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Benefits managers earn a higher average salary than compensation/benefits specialists. But benefits managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $71,971. Additionally, compensation/benefits specialists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $63,485 annually.In general, benefits managers achieve similar levels of education than compensation/benefits specialists. They're 3.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Compensation/benefits specialist vs. Benefits representative

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.

On average scale, benefits representatives bring in lower salaries than compensation/benefits specialists. In fact, they earn a $13,446 lower salary per year.compensation/benefits specialists and benefits representatives both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "hris," "open enrollment," and "fmla," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from compensation/benefits specialist resumes include skills like "cobra," "compensation programs," "federal laws," and "payroll system," whereas a benefits representative is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "patients," "insurance coverage," and "medicaid. "

Benefits representatives earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $41,460. Compensation/benefits specialists earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $63,485.benefits representatives typically earn lower educational levels compared to compensation/benefits specialists. Specifically, they're 8.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Compensation/benefits specialist vs. Workers compensation coordinator

Workers compensation coordinators work with supervisors to identify incident causes and the best corrective actions. They train coordinators and supervisors on reporting and managing workers' compensation claims. Besides coordinating EHS committee meetings and managing EHS files, workers' compensation coordinators also manage workers' programs for hearing tests, safety glasses, and safety shoes. These professionals use the company credit card or purchasing system to order safety supplies. Also, they ensure workers get the needed care by partnering with medical providers and injured employees.

Workerss compensation coordinator typically earn higher pay than compensation/benefits specialists. On average, workerss compensation coordinator earn a $9,183 higher salary per year.While both compensation/benefits specialists and workerss compensation coordinator complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like compensation programs, fmla, and hipaa, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between compensation/benefits specialists and workerss compensation coordinator, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a compensation/benefits specialist might have more use for skills like "hris," "cobra," "open enrollment," and "federal laws." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of workerss compensation coordinator require skills like "osha," "patients," "excellent planning," and "rehabilitation. "

The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for workerss compensation coordinator, with average annual pay of $67,433. Comparatively, the highest compensation/benefits specialist annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.The average resume of workerss compensation coordinator showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to compensation/benefits specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.

Types of compensation/benefits specialist

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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