Human relations manager vs benefits manager

The differences between human relations managers and benefits managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a human relations manager and a benefits manager. Additionally, a human relations manager has an average salary of $79,917, which is higher than the $64,064 average annual salary of a benefits manager.

The top three skills for a human relations manager include human resources, conflict resolution and performance management. The most important skills for a benefits manager are HR, customer service, and HRIS.

Human relations manager vs benefits manager overview

	Human Relations Manager	Benefits Manager
Yearly salary	$79,917	$64,064
Hourly rate	$38.42	$30.80
Growth rate	7%	2%
Number of jobs	56,647	11,164
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	47	46
Years of experience	6	6

What does a human relations manager do?

A human relations manager is sometimes called a labor relations manager. Their job is to create a positive work environment. They are responsible for designing benefit packages for employees and representing workers. They promote diversity in the workplace. They may also be tasked with creating and implementing strategies to improve employee's performance and resolving conflicts.

What does a benefits manager do?

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.

Human relations manager vs benefits manager salary

Human relations managers and benefits managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Human Relations Manager	Benefits Manager
Average salary	$79,917	$64,064
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $109,000	Between $39,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	-	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Microsoft
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between human relations manager and benefits manager education

There are a few differences between a human relations manager and a benefits manager in terms of educational background:

	Human Relations Manager	Benefits Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Human relations manager vs benefits manager demographics

Here are the differences between human relations managers' and benefits managers' demographics:

	Human Relations Manager	Benefits Manager
Average age	47	46
Gender ratio	Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2%	Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	18%	35%

Differences between human relations manager and benefits manager duties and responsibilities

Human relations manager example responsibilities.

Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
Implement a company conversion to a bi-weekly payroll to reduce payroll fees.
Prepare semi-monthly payroll and coordinate changes to employee status to payroll vendor, reconcile and record payroll in QuickBooks.
Provide and consistently document corporate-wide decisions in keeping with best practices and to minimize risk and litigation in employee relations situations.
Conduct administration of severance packages, retirement information, benefit and cobra information amid schedule reductions and termination.

Benefits manager example responsibilities.

Lead a successful transition of payroll, time and labor, benefits and general ledger to PeopleSoft.
Collaborate with ADP to ensure system readiness and manage benefit communications.
Lead departmental PeopleSoft projects and initiatives; involve in systems testing when additional system upgrades are implemented.
Coordinate annual open enrollment, update benefits within HRIS, reconcile monthly statements and approve premium statements for payment.
Insure HIPPA compliance as it relates to payroll and human resources.
Create monthly charge back reports for FSA and all other benefits for finance.

Human relations manager vs benefits manager skills

Common human relations manager skills

Human Resources, 18%
Conflict Resolution, 13%
Performance Management, 13%
Employee Development, 6%
Related Training, 6%
HRIS, 5%

Common benefits manager skills

HR, 10%
Customer Service, 7%
HRIS, 6%
HIPAA, 5%
Life Insurance, 5%
Open Enrollment, 5%

Human Relations Manager vs. similar jobs

Human Relations Manager related careers

Human Relations Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Human Relations Manager
Human Relations Manager vs Benefits Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs