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Human resource specialist vs benefit specialist

The differences between human resource specialists and benefit specialists 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 resource specialist and a benefit specialist. Additionally, a human resource specialist has an average salary of $53,143, which is higher than the $48,756 average annual salary of a benefit specialist.

The top three skills for a human resource specialist include data entry, oversight and life insurance. The most important skills for a benefit specialist are customer service, HR, and patients.

Human resource specialist vs benefit specialist overview

Human Resource SpecialistBenefit Specialist
Yearly salary$53,143$48,756
Hourly rate$25.55$23.44
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs50,51131,663
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4145
Years of experience66

What does a human resource specialist do?

A human resources specialist is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and staffing process. Duties of a human resources specialist include updating the requirements and qualifications of a job post, handling employees' inquiries regarding compensation and benefits, maintaining employees' records, updating the status of new joiners, tracking performance reviews, and generating reports as business requires. A human resource specialist must be detail-oriented, as well as excellent in organizational and communication skills. Additionally, a human resource specialist must have a broad knowledge of the recruitment process and structure.

What does a benefit specialist do?

A benefits specialist is responsible for analyzing and processing the compensation package of an organization, ensuring that the salary and benefits received by an employee adhere to the current legislation procedures. Benefits specialists develop benefits programs, adjusting pension plans and insurance options as needed, and updating the employees on recent updates and changes. A benefits specialist responds to employees' inquiries, addresses their concerns, and manages benefits issues. A benefits specialist must have a clear understanding of benefits policies and processes to educate employees about the benefits structure.

Human resource specialist vs benefit specialist salary

Human resource specialists and benefit specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resource SpecialistBenefit Specialist
Average salary$53,143$48,756
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $34,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyMetaQorvo
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between human resource specialist and benefit specialist education

There are a few differences between a human resource specialist and a benefit specialist in terms of educational background:

Human Resource SpecialistBenefit Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Human resource specialist vs benefit specialist demographics

Here are the differences between human resource specialists' and benefit specialists' demographics:

Human Resource SpecialistBenefit Specialist
Average age4145
Gender ratioMale, 26.9% Female, 73.1%Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between human resource specialist and benefit specialist duties and responsibilities

Human resource specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage site KRONOS payroll, time and attendance, and vacation tracking for hourly.
  • Manage new hire and current employee paperwork that includes status change forms, W-4s, I-9s, etc.
  • Lead a compliance initiative to ensure successful transition to the e-Verify employment verification process.
  • Integrate efforts on actions and programs where joint OPM functional effort are necessary to accomplish recruitment and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Advise, coach, and counsele managers and Sr.
  • Assist with affirmative action reporting, VETS100 and EEO-1 submission.
  • Show more

Benefit specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage various employee program such as life, medical, dental pension, and HSA accounts.
  • Examine HMO documents to verify eligibility to process or reject into or from a manage care plan when necessary.
  • Input daily time and PTO, manage benefits, report new hires, input sales, oversee accounts receivable.
  • Create reports using SQL database and manage reports, perform from internet-base tools for research projects need for client insight.
  • Implement new vendor for FSA administration and manage outstanding issues through continuous follow-up and vendor accountability.
  • Analyze, process and manage FMLA claims to determine eligibility and certification in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Show more

Human resource specialist vs benefit specialist skills

Common human resource specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Life Insurance, 9%
  • Human Resources Policies, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Timekeeping, 5%
Common benefit specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • HR, 8%
  • Patients, 5%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Cobra, 5%

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