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
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists (SOC 13-1141, the closest published occupation to Benefits Administrator) at a national median of $78,210 per year (mean $84,330), or $37.60 per hour, with 112,380 people employed nationwide. Salario's $55,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Benefits Administrator Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Benefits Administrator.
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
How much does a Benefits Administrator make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Benefits Administrator in the United States is $55,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $40,000, while senior professionals earn up to $80,000. Top earners in the field can make $92,000 or more annually. For reference, BLS OEWS May 2025 reports a $78,210 national median for the broader occupation Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists (SOC 13-1141).
What education is needed to become a Benefits Administrator?
A Benefits Administrator typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Benefits Administration, HRIS, Open Enrollment. Relevant certifications such as CEBS or PHR can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Benefits Administrators?
The job market for Benefits Administrators is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 100K Benefits Administrator positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Benefits Administrators the most?
The highest-paying states for Benefits Administrators include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $63,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Benefits Administrator salary?
To increase your Benefits Administrator salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Benefits Administration and HRIS. Pursue certifications such as CEBS. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $40,000 to $80,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Benefits Administrator Salary
How we calculate Benefits Administrator salary data: Benefits Administrator has no exact BLS occupation. The national median, tiers, state and city figures are Salario estimates for the title; the closest published BLS occupation (Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists, SOC 13-1141) is shown above for reference but is not used to rescale the model because its wage level does not describe this title.
- National median salary: $55,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($40,000) and senior-level ($80,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 100K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Human Resources sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $55,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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