Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary

Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD

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Avg Median Salary

$136,383

Highest Paying City

San Jose

$191,000

Cities Tracked

60

What Do Compensation and Benefits Managers Do?

Compensation and Benefits Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the operational activities of organizations. They formulate policies, manage daily operations, and make key decisions that shape business strategy and organizational direction.

Most work in office settings, though travel to satellite locations or client sites may be required. Long hours and high-pressure situations are common, especially during critical business periods.

Key Skills for Compensation and Benefits Managers

Team ManagementCommunicationProblem SolvingProject ManagementNegotiationOrganizational Development

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, management, or a related field

Most positions require a bachelor's degree, with many employers preferring candidates who hold an MBA or master's degree in a relevant discipline. Significant work experience in the field is typically required before moving into management.

Career Outlook

Employment is projected to grow about as fast as average, with demand driven by organizational expansion and the need for skilled leadership across industries.

How to Increase Your Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary

  • 1.Pursue an MBA or advanced management certification
  • 2.Develop expertise in data-driven decision making and analytics
  • 3.Build a track record of measurable business results
  • 4.Expand your professional network through industry conferences and associations
  • 5.Gain experience managing cross-functional teams and projects

Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary by City

CityMedianAverageRange (10th-90th)Currency
San Jose, CA
$191,000
$201,000$96,000 - $263,000USDApply
San Francisco, CA
$189,000
$196,000$94,000 - $260,000USDApply
Seattle, WA
$180,000
$196,000$90,000 - $248,000USDApply
New York, NY
$173,000
$185,000$86,000 - $238,000USDApply
Boston, MA
$167,000
$180,000$84,000 - $230,000USDApply
Washington DC, DC
$165,000
$174,000$82,000 - $227,000USDApply
Los Angeles, CA
$159,000
$173,000$80,000 - $219,000USDApply
San Diego, CA
$155,000
$167,000$78,000 - $213,000USDApply
Honolulu, HI
$152,000
$163,000$76,000 - $209,000USDApply
Anchorage, AK
$152,000
$167,000$76,000 - $209,000USDApply
Minneapolis, MN
$149,000
$155,000$82,000 - $199,000USDApply
Denver, CO
$149,000
$161,000$82,000 - $199,000USDApply
Portland, OR
$149,000
$163,000$82,000 - $199,000USDApply
Austin, TX
$148,000
$154,000$81,000 - $198,000USDApply
Dallas, TX
$147,000
$155,000$81,000 - $197,000USDApply
Baltimore, MD
$147,000
$153,000$81,000 - $197,000USDApply
Philadelphia, PA
$146,000
$163,000$80,000 - $195,000USDApply
Sacramento, CA
$146,000
$160,000$80,000 - $195,000USDApply
Atlanta, GA
$143,000
$157,000$79,000 - $191,000USDApply
Raleigh, NC
$143,000
$148,000$79,000 - $191,000USDApply
Chicago, IL
$142,000
$158,000$78,000 - $190,000USDApply
Hartford, CT
$142,000
$155,000$78,000 - $190,000USDApply
Houston, TX
$141,000
$156,000$78,000 - $189,000USDApply
Nashville, TN
$135,000
$140,000$74,000 - $181,000USDApply
Salt Lake City, UT
$135,000
$146,000$74,000 - $181,000USDApply
Columbus, OH
$135,000
$138,000$74,000 - $181,000USDApply
Pittsburgh, PA
$135,000
$145,000$74,000 - $181,000USDApply
Milwaukee, WI
$135,000
$145,000$74,000 - $181,000USDApply
Kansas City, MO
$134,000
$137,000$74,000 - $179,000USDApply
Charlotte, NC
$133,000
$138,000$73,000 - $178,000USDApply
Indianapolis, IN
$133,000
$140,000$73,000 - $178,000USDApply
St. Louis, MO
$133,000
$137,000$73,000 - $178,000USDApply
Richmond, VA
$133,000
$148,000$73,000 - $178,000USDApply
Phoenix, AZ
$132,000
$140,000$73,000 - $177,000USDApply
Detroit, MI
$132,000
$143,000$73,000 - $177,000USDApply
Las Vegas, NV
$131,000
$137,000$72,000 - $175,000USDApply
Tampa, FL
$130,000
$135,000$72,000 - $174,000USDApply
Orlando, FL
$129,000
$132,000$71,000 - $173,000USDApply
San Antonio, TX
$129,000
$134,000$71,000 - $173,000USDApply
Cleveland, OH
$129,000
$139,000$71,000 - $173,000USDApply
Buffalo, NY
$128,000
$139,000$70,000 - $171,000USDApply
Cincinnati, OH
$127,000
$140,000$70,000 - $170,000USDApply
Miami, FL
$126,000
$141,000$69,000 - $169,000USDApply
Jacksonville, FL
$126,000
$130,000$69,000 - $169,000USDApply
Memphis, TN
$126,000
$132,000$69,000 - $169,000USDApply
Vancouver, BC
$126,000
$136,000$69,000 - $169,000CADApply
Louisville, KY
$125,000
$132,000$69,000 - $167,000USDApply
Toronto, ON
$125,000
$131,000$69,000 - $167,000CADApply
Tucson, AZ
$123,000
$131,000$68,000 - $165,000USDApply
New Orleans, LA
$122,000
$126,000$67,000 - $163,000USDApply
Birmingham, AL
$122,000
$127,000$67,000 - $163,000USDApply
Oklahoma City, OK
$121,000
$126,000$67,000 - $162,000USDApply
Calgary, AB
$118,000
$128,000$65,000 - $158,000CADApply
Ottawa, ON
$114,000
$119,000$63,000 - $152,000CADApply
Edmonton, AB
$114,000
$122,000$63,000 - $152,000CADApply
Hamilton, ON
$109,000
$113,000$60,000 - $146,000CADApply
Montreal, QC
$104,000
$115,000$57,000 - $139,000CADApply
Winnipeg, MB
$102,000
$113,000$56,000 - $136,000CADApply
Halifax, NS
$101,000
$113,000$56,000 - $135,000CADApply
Quebec City, QC
$96,000
$104,000$58,000 - $125,000CADApply