Home page

Job Benefits and Analysis Specialists


At a Glance

  • Administer a company's pay and benefits program
  • Work with employees and human resources managers
  • Have a bachelor's degree
  • Typically work a standard work week, with some overtime
  • Know all about labor laws

Career summary

Job benefits and analysis specialists study and plan employee benefits and job descriptions.

Many companies employ job benefits and analysis specialists to run their employee benefits programs. Their tasks may include:

Specialists often work with insurance companies and retirement plans to set up programs for their employer. They often talk with human resources managers and directors about their recommendations. In addition, specialists help analyze and negotiate agreements between employers and unions. They may also help settle disagreements between individual employees and the employer.

Specialists in employee benefits administer several kinds of plans. Some specialize in one area, while many specialists oversee several plans. Specialists may focus on employee:

Specialists read the latest research in employee benefits. They make sure companies are up to date with any legal requirements and recommend ways to keep employees safe and productive.

Job benefits and analysis specialists often study how individual jobs are set up. They look at how a job is classified. They find the answers to questions, such as should an employee in this job be paid hourly or by salary? How should a person in this job be promoted or given a raise? How much should they be paid?

Specialists also develop training programs and workshops. They may also write or edit employee manuals and handbooks.

Records and files are important in employee benefits. Job benefits and analysis specialists keep records for each employee. They also keep records of all insurance programs. In addition, specialists often write reports that summarize the latest changes in a company's employee benefits program.

Related careers

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to job benefits and analysis specialists.

Common work activities

Job benefits and analysis specialists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, job benefits and analysis specialists:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Job benefits and analysis specialists frequently:

It is important for job benefits and analysis specialists to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for job benefits and analysis specialists to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Job benefits and analysis specialists need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Use math and science

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a job benefits and analysis specialist, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Many job benefits and analysis specialists have a bachelor's degree. Most colleges and universities offer programs in personnel or human resources management. Some have programs in labor relations. Additional programs of study that are good preparation are business administration and management. Regardless of your major, you should take courses in compensation, recruitment, performance appraisal, and training and development. As in other fields, knowledge of computers is important.

Work experience

Many employers prefer candidates who worked for a year or more as a human resource assistant.

On-the-job training

You should consider participating in an internship while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Some employers provide on-the-job training for specialists to learn the company's specific policies and benefits plans. Training may last up to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be personnel or recruiting specialists. Some of the skills from those occupations transfer to job benefits and analysis. Training lasts four to nine weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers usually seek college graduates to fill specialist positions. Many employers prefer applicants who have majored in human resources, personnel administration, or labor relations. Others look for graduates with a technical or business background. Many employers prefer graduates who have work experience from internships.

Some employers may require specialists to have a year or more of direct work experience in human resources. For example, working as a human resource assistant may give you the experience to become a job benefits and analysis specialist.

Costs to workers

Some workers join professional associations, which may have annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists (SOC 13-1141)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $22.42 $27.06 $33.98 $43.77 $56.41
Monthly $3,885 $4,689 $5,889 $7,585 $9,776
Yearly $46,630 $56,280 $70,680 $91,050 $117,330
    Bellingham Hourly $17.70 $21.27 $30.26 $39.81 $47.17
Monthly $3,067 $3,686 $5,244 $6,899 $8,175
Yearly $36,809 $44,250 $62,924 $82,795 $98,097
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $20.61 $22.40 $26.44 $32.32 $38.16
Monthly $3,572 $3,882 $4,582 $5,601 $6,613
Yearly $42,870 $46,574 $54,994 $67,227 $79,360
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $25.61 $26.94 $29.71 $35.62 $58.99
Monthly $4,438 $4,669 $5,149 $6,173 $10,223
Yearly $53,262 $56,037 $61,805 $74,084 $122,701
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $17.81 $22.08 $26.87 $30.43 $38.48
Monthly $3,086 $3,826 $4,657 $5,274 $6,669
Yearly $37,037 $45,923 $55,899 $63,289 $80,041
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $25.40 $29.83 $36.65 $46.73 $60.08
Monthly $4,402 $5,170 $6,351 $8,098 $10,412
Yearly $52,831 $62,041 $76,221 $97,201 $124,961
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $20.03 $22.19 $26.05 $31.06 $40.19
Monthly $3,471 $3,846 $4,514 $5,383 $6,965
Yearly $41,668 $46,155 $54,180 $64,616 $83,597
    Vancouver Hourly $22.70 $27.30 $33.19 $43.21 $51.93
Monthly $3,934 $4,731 $5,752 $7,488 $8,999
Yearly $47,215 $56,788 $69,045 $89,872 $108,016
    Wenatchee Hourly $16.80 $18.37 $27.91 $36.80 $44.20
Monthly $2,911 $3,184 $4,837 $6,377 $7,660
Yearly $34,938 $38,204 $58,056 $76,551 $91,943
    Yakima Hourly $21.69 $26.76 $31.08 $37.94 $43.73
Monthly $3,759 $4,638 $5,386 $6,575 $7,578
Yearly $45,115 $55,660 $64,645 $78,914 $90,963
United States Hourly $18.88 $23.47 $30.29 $38.75 $49.23
Monthly $3,272 $4,067 $5,249 $6,715 $8,532
Yearly $39,270 $48,830 $63,000 $80,590 $102,400

Wages vary by employer and the specialist's duties.

Specialists who work full time usually receive benefits. Common benefits include paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

 

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists (SOC 13-1141)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 1,871 18.6% 16.1% 232
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 16 12.5% 13.4% 2
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 13 7.7% 8.6% 1
    Benton and Franklin Counties 26 19.2% 15.0% 3
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 34 23.5% 11.9% 4
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 145 16.6% 15.2% 17
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 150 7.3% 14.1% 14
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 19 10.5% 14.6% 2
    King County 1,164 20.8% 19.6% 151
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 25 8.0% 13.8% 2
    Pierce County 75 17.3% 15.2% 8
    Snohomish County 96 20.8% 12.4% 12
    Spokane County 64 18.8% 13.9% 8
United States 88,700 6.0% 5.2% 9,200

National employment

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow about as fast as average. Specialists will be needed to determine each company's staffing needs and to write job descriptions. Job benefits specialists will continue to be needed by state and local agencies. The number of people who need help finding jobs varies with the state of the economy. When the economy is slow, there are more job seekers than jobs.

Job prospects are best for those with several years experience.

Other resources

Society for Human Resource Management (external link)
Washington Business Week (external link)
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Holland occupational clusters

COPSystem