📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
Average
$131,280
per year
Median
$125,130
per year
Hourly
$63.12
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$80,024
25th Percentile — Junior$106,680
50th Percentile — Median$125,130
75th Percentile — Senior$166,656
90th Percentile — Top Earners$190,109
💡 The top 10% of Compensation and Benefits Managers earn $190,109 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $80,024, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$112.2k
2021
$115.7k
2022
$119.4k
2023
$123.3k
2024
$127.2k
2025
$131.3k
2026
📈 Compensation and Benefits Manager salaries have grown 3.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $19,130.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $203,484 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $199,546 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $186,418 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $181,166 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $173,290 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $170,664 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $168,038 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $164,100 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $160,162 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $150,972 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $150,972 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $149,659 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $147,034 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $144,408 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $144,408 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $141,782 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $137,844 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $137,844 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $133,906 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $133,906 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $131,280 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $131,280 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $129,967 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $129,967 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $128,654 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $124,716 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $124,716 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $122,090 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $122,090 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $122,090 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $120,778 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $120,778 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $119,465 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $118,152 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $115,526 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $114,214 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $114,214 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $114,214 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $112,901 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $111,588 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $111,588 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $110,275 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $108,962 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $108,962 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $105,024 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $102,398 | -22.0% | High |
What Factors Affect Compensation and Benefits Manager Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Compensation and Benefits Manager's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Compensation and Benefits Managers typically earn $80,024–$106,680 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $166,656–$190,109 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Compensation and Benefits Manager role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Management sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Compensation and Benefits Manager?The average salary for a Compensation and Benefits Manager in the United States is $131,280 per year, with a median of $125,130.
-
What is the starting salary for a Compensation and Benefits Manager?Entry-level Compensation and Benefits Managers typically earn between $80,024 and $106,680 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Compensation and Benefits Managers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Compensation and Benefits Managers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Compensation and Benefits Manager make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $131,280, a Compensation and Benefits Manager earns approximately $63.12 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Compensation and Benefits Manager a good career in 2026?Yes — the Compensation and Benefits Manager role has high demand with 3.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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