SOC 11-3111 · May 2025 · United States
Compensation and Benefits Managers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Compensation and Benefits Managers across the United States is $149,230 per year, measured over 22,940 jobs. The highest state median is in Washington, at $199,190.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow more slowly than average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +0.2%
- Openings per year
- 1,500
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- 5 years or more
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Compensation and Benefits Managers
Pay for this occupation varies by 123.2% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Washington pays $199,190 and Mississippi pays $89,250.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $199,190 | 460 | |
| 2 | Connecticut | $197,970 | 480 | |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $184,070 | 670 | |
| 4 | New York | $175,620 | 2,260 | |
| 5 | New Jersey | $168,370 | 950 | |
| 6 | California | $166,730 | 2,970 | |
| 7 | Delaware | $166,070 | 50 | |
| 8 | Colorado | $165,770 | 280 | |
| 9 | Minnesota | $163,390 | 360 | |
| 10 | Georgia | $163,060 | 1,010 |
States with the most Compensation and Benefits Managers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,970 | $166,730 | |
| 2 | New York | 2,260 | $175,620 | |
| 3 | Texas | 2,230 | $136,930 | |
| 4 | Florida | 1,670 | $127,960 | |
| 5 | Georgia | 1,010 | $163,060 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | 950 | $168,370 | |
| 7 | North Carolina | 880 | $135,240 | |
| 8 | Illinois | 780 | $151,730 | |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 770 | $139,040 | |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 670 | $184,070 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $221,800 | 40 |
| 2 | Bridgeport | $218,860 | 230 |
| 3 | Seattle | $216,580 | 340 |
| 4 | San Jose | $215,180 | 320 |
| 5 | San Francisco | $188,850 | 590 |
| 6 | Trenton | $186,700 | 60 |
| 7 | Boston | $185,590 | 590 |
| 8 | New York | $179,730 | 2,420 |
| 9 | Washington | $171,950 | 590 |
| 10 | Denver | $168,850 | 230 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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