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Job outlook for payroll and benefits specialists in the United States
Payroll and benefits specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected payroll and benefits specialist job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 6,600 new jobs for payroll and benefits specialists are projected over the next decade.
Payroll and benefits specialist salaries have increased 8% for payroll and benefits specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,307 payroll and benefits specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 25,056 active payroll and benefits specialist job openings in the US.
The average payroll and benefits specialist salary is $49,466.
Are payroll and benefits specialist jobs in demand?
Payroll and benefits specialist job and salary trends over time
Payroll and benefits specialist jobs over time
Payroll and benefits specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,307 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 10,625 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,038 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,744 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,914 | 0.00% |
Average payroll and benefits specialist salary over time
Payroll and benefits specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,466 | $23.78 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $47,530 | $22.85 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $46,381 | $22.30 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $46,145 | $22.19 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | $45,704 | $21.97 | +2.0% |
Payroll and benefits specialist jobs by state
Most common states for payroll and benefits specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 152 | 22% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 382 | 6% |
| 3 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 322 | 5% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 270 | 5% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 89 | 5% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 55 | 5% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 50 | 5% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 49 | 5% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 35 | 5% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 30 | 5% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 473 | 4% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 460 | 4% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 375 | 4% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 264 | 4% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 221 | 4% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 217 | 4% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 178 | 4% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 148 | 4% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 115 | 4% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 60 | 4% |
Most common cities for payroll and benefits specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster | 2 | 5% | $53,124 |
| 2 | Cedar Park | 2 | 3% | $46,710 |
| 3 | Pflugerville | 2 | 3% | $46,692 |
| 4 | Rockville | 2 | 3% | $50,416 |
| 5 | Addison | 1 | 3% | $52,103 |
| 6 | Arvada | 2 | 2% | $50,694 |
| 7 | Round Rock | 2 | 2% | $46,699 |
| 8 | Austin | 5 | 1% | $46,696 |
| 9 | Pasadena | 2 | 1% | $57,684 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 1% | $48,076 |
| 11 | Salt Lake City | 2 | 1% | $36,967 |
| 12 | New York | 4 | 0% | $56,456 |
| 13 | Houston | 3 | 0% | $46,475 |
| 14 | Minneapolis | 2 | 0% | $50,593 |
Payroll And Benefits Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of payroll and benefits specialist experts
University of Arizona
University of Scranton
Carthage College
Neumann University
Land O Lakes
Temple University
University of South Carolina - Columbia
DePaul University
Daemen College
SHRM
HRCI
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
What Payroll And Benefits Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Ottusch Ph.D.: I think the skills needed now and similar to what will be important soon. So much of it comes down to a foundational mix of accurate understanding of human development (as opposed to misunderstandings through myths, etc.), good critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
What will help Payroll And Benefits Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Paul Datti PhD, CRC, HS-BCP: Graduates of The University of Scranton’s Counseling and Human Services program, as well as other similar educational programs, tend to have significant success upon graduation. At Scranton, typically about half to two-thirds of our graduates go on to graduate school, mainly in professional counseling or social work, but some also go on to programs in public administration, applied behavior analysis, child life care, and even law school. The remainder tend to soon get jobs in the field, in positions such as behavioral health technician, community health assistant, rehabilitation aide, child advocate, psychiatric or mental health technician, social work assistant, and more. According to OnetOnline and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this area are expected to exponentially grow over the years and are considered “bright outlook” occupations.
Dr. Stephanie Mitchell
Professor of HistoryCarthage College
History
What general advice would you give to a Payroll And Benefits Specialist?
Dr. Stephanie Mitchell: A better question to ask yourself is: How much money do I need to give a life with dignity to myself and the people I love who will depend on my salary? Then, how can I earn that much money? A quick look at different fields will give you a sense of average salaries in different parts of our economy, and that kind of information should be a variable to incorporate as you pursue your vocational exploration and discernment. It's not the only variable, but it's an important one. Others include whether you are good at that kind of work, whether you enjoy it, and whether you think it serves the common good, which is another way of asking whether you think you would find the work meaningful. At Carthage, we know that earning enough money is an important part of living a good life, but it isn't the only part. A purposeful life is the one you will find is worth living.
Robert Till Ph.D.
Professor EmeritusNeumann University
Management Department
What skills will help Payroll And Benefits Specialists earn the most?
Robert Till Ph.D.: When considering what areas of HR offer the greatest compensation, you need to think about supply and demand. Typically, if you have quantitative or computer skills, your value increases. A simple search of HR jobs suggests that Compensation and Benefits is an area that does pay well.
The graduates felt their CIS course and their HR Courses were helpful to their success, but they would have liked exposure to HR software currently being used in the field and greater exposure to forms typically used in HR departments.
Philomena Morrissey Satre
Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion and External Strategic PartnershipsLand O Lakes
What skills will help Payroll And Benefits Specialists earn the most?
Philomena Morrissey Satre: Coachability: listen and receive feedback, communicate effectively, draw on Internship or prior job experience, show that you can manage multiple priorities, and willingness to learn and continue developing skills and manage multiple priorities. Additionally, care and compassion for all. Willingness to do what it takes to get the job done even when it may not be your favorite task or responsibility. Lastly, an innovative mindset!
What soft skills should all Payroll And Benefits Specialists possess?
Daniel Goldberg: The ability to communicate effectively, openly, empathically, and directly (without ambiguity) while making sure members within the organization understand their roles.
Anthony Nyberg
Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human ResourcesUniversity of South Carolina - Columbia
Management Department
What skills will help Payroll And Benefits Specialists earn the most?
Anthony Nyberg: The skills that lead, in the short term, to the highest earnings involve analytical skills. The skills that lead to the highest earnings over time include professionalism and strong interpersonal skills. If you can master both, you have created the foundation for a very strong career in HR.
What Payroll And Benefits Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Martha Martinez- Firestone Ph.D.: I think a gap year is great to transform passions into expertise. Cultivate knowledge and networks in areas where you would eventually like to get a job. Research the industry that interests you, attend industry events, make zoom connections, and get the skills that people are talking about. If possible, volunteer in those industries to enhance your knowledge, contacts, and resume.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Payroll And Benefits Specialists in the next 5 years?
Karen Sharp-Price: Human Resources is one of the specializations within the business that is ever-changing and developing. There are so many different areas within Human Resources that graduates can pursue. Some of the more traditional aspects are; compensation, benefits, recruitment, employee engagement, and training.
Some believe that Human Resources is slowly being replaced by technology. My personal opinion is that technology has definitely created new ways to be more effective and efficient within Human Resources, but I think technology has its place and its limitations. While technology will not completely replace the HR professional, I do believe that HR specializations are becoming more updated by using technology. The most obvious example is HR Technology with regard to training, communication, and onboarding.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Payroll And Benefits Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Regan Gross: There has been, and will continue to be, a shift in the way we do work. Employers are realizing that they can minimize overhead and leverage technology by adopting remote workforces. There will still be some employers who are resistant to this change and will continue to do things the traditional way. E-commerce jobs, such as those in online retail, will continue to increase, while jobs that require in-person social interaction, such as in the restaurant industry, will continue to evolve into contactless alternatives, reducing the number of positions available for employment. While hospitality and restaurants have been among the hardest hit, for many, still being able to dine-out and stay away from home, is important to their mental health.
Job interviews will continue to be virtual as much as feasible. Job seekers will be well advised to brush up on their on-camera interviewing skills, including dressing appropriately as with in-person job interviews, avoiding any background noise and being cognizant of the appearance of their on-camera surroundings/background. Practice virtual interviews with friends and family if possible.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Payroll And Benefits Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Amy Dufrane: Attractive locations for graduates to work are larger cities with manufacturing and service-driven economies using shared resources and supply chains with technological and virtual service delivery. However, as more companies have relaxed their remote work policies, where someone lives is becoming less and less important. What is becoming more important to graduates are the certifications and learning experiences that will differentiate them from others seeking employment.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Payroll And Benefits Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.: Before the pandemic, starting salary prospects were quite positive in human resource management. I expect to see salaries down a bit. Generally, companies have a slight edge now in salary negotiations, as there is more available talent than may have been the case before the pandemic. However, there have not been as significant of job losses in human resource management as has been the case in some other fields (e.g., hospitality management).