Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary
Compensation and Benefits Managers earn a median $149,230 a year nationally. Management Occupations
What compensation and benefits managers do
Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization. Job analysis and position description managers are included in "Human Resources Managers" (11-3121).
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.1% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,600
Employment of compensation and benefits managers is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Compensation and Benefits Manager take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,549
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,252
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,164
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$113,265
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,160 | $42.87 | $71,554 |
| 25th percentile | $113,170 | $54.41 | $88,445 |
| Median (50th) | $149,230 | $71.75 | $113,265 |
| 75th percentile | $200,610 | $96.45 | $149,376 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $256,570+ | $123.35 | $187,495 |
Best cities for compensation and benefits managers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $179,730 | $124,548 | $110,647 | 2,420 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $179,730
Compensation and Benefits Manager salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $199,190 | −3.5% | $148,323 | $116,830 – $239,200+ | 460 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 | +34.6% | $137,685 | $98,380 – $239,200+ | 480 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 | +1.2% | $128,094 | $128,390 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| New York | $175,620 | −0.4% | $121,981 | $114,990 – $239,200+ | 2,260 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 | −7.8% | $117,812 | $111,720 – $239,200+ | 950 |
| California | $166,730 | +3.7% | $111,782 | $105,840 – $239,200+ | 2,970 |
| Delaware | $166,070 | — | $115,155 | $114,950 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Colorado | $165,770 | +3.9% | $117,984 | $92,990 – $227,230 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 | +13.5% | $112,950 | $102,690 – $231,830 | 360 |
| Georgia | $163,060 | +15.5% | $114,877 | $96,540 – $239,200+ | 1,010 |
| Oregon | $161,470 | +10.9% | $107,946 | $100,400 – $226,250 | 240 |
| District of Columbia | $160,990 | +0.1% | $110,587 | $114,410 – $239,200+ | 130 |
| Virginia | $153,660 | −10.3% | $108,271 | $110,070 – $239,200+ | — |
| Illinois | $151,730 | +19.0% | $107,608 | $78,420 – $235,730 | 780 |
| Michigan | $151,620 | +8.6% | $108,705 | $95,800 – $239,200+ | 580 |
| Rhode Island | $149,340 | −18.5% | $107,848 | $93,230 – $239,200+ | 50 |
| Ohio | $141,920 | +10.5% | $105,148 | $84,580 – $227,440 | 460 |
| Maryland | $139,860 | −2.8% | $100,477 | $91,730 – $239,200+ | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $139,040 | +10.5% | $102,031 | $92,140 – $225,670 | 770 |
| New Hampshire | $136,950 | +3.6% | $104,871 | $90,830 – $200,200 | 100 |
| Texas | $136,930 | +0.2% | $104,858 | $86,550 – $216,890 | 2,230 |
| North Carolina | $135,240 | +7.6% | $98,815 | $63,740 – $227,410 | 880 |
| Tennessee | $132,780 | +8.4% | $102,021 | $83,010 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| Utah | $132,620 | −0.2% | $96,910 | $80,990 – $213,870 | 200 |
| Arizona | $129,890 | — | $97,007 | $80,390 – $210,860 | 510 |
| Maine | $129,690 | −9.4% | $92,132 | $86,600 – $198,930 | 50 |
| Florida | $127,960 | +12.2% | $98,727 | $79,310 – $206,170 | 1,670 |
| Wisconsin | $127,920 | −10.1% | $93,300 | $86,490 – $214,250 | — |
| New Mexico | $124,390 | +18.6% | $91,522 | $74,040 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Alaska | $122,490 | +2.6% | $94,988 | $69,150 – $154,560 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $121,630 | +10.6% | $89,742 | $83,200 – $183,490 | 140 |
| Alabama | $118,470 | +7.3% | $86,515 | $84,090 – $205,840 | 90 |
| Iowa | $118,250 | +11.0% | $88,177 | $77,000 – $202,600 | 120 |
| Indiana | $118,180 | +7.1% | $88,513 | $80,620 – $189,560 | 170 |
| Nevada | $115,180 | — | $89,859 | $62,480 – $202,180 | 180 |
| Kentucky | $114,290 | +5.7% | $85,350 | $80,850 – $194,170 | 110 |
| Kansas | $114,070 | +4.9% | $83,513 | $82,890 – $173,240 | 70 |
| Hawaii | $110,120 | +15.6% | $79,460 | $76,670 – $171,110 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $107,760 | +8.5% | $80,335 | $74,880 – $197,020 | 180 |
| Missouri | $106,490 | +9.2% | $79,678 | $81,110 – $204,140 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $100,810 | −1.5% | $76,031 | $63,120 – $239,200+ | 140 |
| Louisiana | $99,840 | +7.7% | $76,458 | $71,620 – $239,200+ | 220 |
| South Carolina | $99,630 | +6.1% | $74,099 | $61,100 – $211,660 | 330 |
| Idaho | $90,020 | −17.1% | $68,496 | $83,710 – $199,990 | 100 |
| Mississippi | $89,250 | −0.6% | $68,779 | $59,030 – $149,990 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Purchasing Manager | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
| Training and Development Manager | $133,000 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree | +9.7% |
| Industrial Production Manager | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree | +15.8% |
| Administrative Services Manager | $114,130 | Bachelor's degree | +5.2% |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $107,230 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.1% |
| Facilities Manager | $106,660 | Bachelor's degree | +4.6% |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree | +4.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compensation and benefits manager make?
The national median salary for compensation and benefits managers is $149,230 a year ($71.75 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $89,160 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays compensation and benefits managers the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $199,190. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many compensation and benefits managers are there in the U.S.?
About 22,940 people work as compensation and benefits managers nationwide.