Benefits Administrator Salary in 2026
Benefits administrators manage employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. They coordinate enrollments, handle claims, and ensure compliance.
Median Salary
$55,000
$4,583/mo
Entry Level
$40,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$80,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
Benefits Administrator Overview
Benefits administrators manage employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. They coordinate enrollments, handle claims, and ensure compliance.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Human Resources
Total Jobs (US)
100K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Human Resources
Hourly Rate
$26.44/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,583
Benefits Administrator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Benefits Administrator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Benefits Administrator Salary
$66,000
$5,500/month · $2,538/biweekly · $31.73/hr
Benefits Administrator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Benefits Administrator field.
Entry-level Benefits Administrators earn around $40,000, while the top 10% earn $86,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Benefits Administrators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $63,000 | +$8,000 |
| Illinois | $57,000 | +$2,000 |
| Texas | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Benefits Administrators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Chicago | $58,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $56,000 | +$1,000 |
| Dallas | $55,000 | $0 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Benefits Administrator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Benefits Administrator from entry level to expert.
$40,000
0-2 years
$60,000
3-7 years
$80,000
8-14 years
$92,000
15+ years
Related Human Resources Jobs
Benefits Administrator Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Benefits Administrator Salary
How we calculate Benefits Administrator salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $55,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Benefits Administrator in the Human Resources sector.
- Entry-level ($40,000) and senior-level ($80,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 100K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Human Resources sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $55,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Benefits Administrator compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Benefits Administrator job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Human Resources
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Benefits Administrator salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Benefits Administration, HRIS, Open Enrollment), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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