### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			compensation benefits and job analysis specialists imageSpecialists may present their analysis and recommendations to management.							
						Quick Facts:     Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists2023     Median Pay
            						$74,530     per year
										$35.83     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    Less than 5 yearsOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    98,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    7% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    6,900What Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists oversee wage and nonwage programs that an organization provides to its employees in return for their work. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as classification and salary.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists are employed in nearly every industry. They typically work in offices, and most are full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist
                                                
                        
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree and related work experience to enter the occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists was $74,530 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists is projected to grow							 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 7,700 openings for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists Do 
            

			compensation benefits and job analysis specialists imageSpecialists research compensation and benefits policies and plans.			
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists oversee wage and nonwage programs that an organization provides to its employees in return for their work. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as classification and salary.
Duties
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists typically do the following:
Research compensation and benefits policies and plans
Use data and cost analyses to compare compensation and benefits plans
Evaluate position descriptions to determine classification and salary
Ensure that an organization complies with federal and state laws
Design and prepare reports summarizing research and analysis
Present recommendations to other human resources managersSome specialists perform tasks within all areas of compensation, benefits, and job analysis. Others specialize in a specific area.
***Compensation specialists*** assess an organization’s pay structure for employees. They research compensation trends and review surveys to determine how their organization’s pay compares with that of other organizations in a particular industry and region. They often perform complex data and cost analyses to evaluate compensation policies. They also ensure that the organization’s pay practices comply with federal and state laws and regulations, such as equal pay laws, minimum wage, overtime, and workers’ compensation.
***Benefits specialists*** administer an organization’s compensation programs that are supplemental to wages, including retirement plans, leave policies, wellness programs, and insurance plans. They research, analyze, and then recommend benefits plans, policies, and programs. They frequently monitor government regulations, legislation, and benefits trends to ensure that their programs are current, legal, and competitive. They also work closely with insurance brokers and benefits carriers and manage the enrollment, delivery of benefits, and renewal to the organization’s employees.
***Job analysis specialists***, also known as *position classifiers*, evaluate an organization’s positions by writing or assigning job descriptions, determining position classifications, and preparing salary scales. When the organization introduces a new job or reviews existing jobs, specialists must conduct research and make recommendations to managers on the classification, description, status, and salary of those jobs.
 Work Environment
			compensation benefits and job analysis specialists imageSpecialists typically work in offices, briefing workers about benefits and overseeing the enrollment process.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists held about 98,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists were as follows:
        Insurance carriers and related activities
                16%Professional, scientific, and technical services
                13Management of companies and enterprises
                12Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                8Healthcare and social assistance
                7Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists work in nearly every industry.
They typically work in offices.
Work Schedules
Most compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists work full time.
 How to Become a Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist

			compensation benefits and job analysis specialists imageSpecialists typically need previous work experience in human resources occupations.			
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree and related work experience to enter the occupation.
Education
Employers typically require that compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists have a bachelor’s degree. Common fields of degree include business, social science, psychology, and communications. Some employers accept additional related work experience in lieu of a degree.
Regardless of major, students interested in this occupation may find it useful to take courses in subjects such as human resources management, finance, and accounting.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Employers typically require that compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists have experience that includes compensation analysis, benefits administration, or general human resources work. Experience in related fields, such as finance, insurance, or business administration, also may be helpful. Some candidates gain this experience through internships. However, others gain experience from working in human resources occupations, such as human resources specialists.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although professional certification is not required, it demonstrates expertise. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have certification, but other employers allow their employees to earn certification after they have begun working. Certification programs often require applicants to have several years of related work experience in order to qualify for the credential.
Many associations for human resources workers offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and WorldatWork, offer certification programs that specialize in compensation and benefits. Others, including the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management, offer general human resources credentials.
Advancement
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists may advance to become a compensation and benefits manager or a human resources manager. Specialists typically need several years of work experience to advance.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists perform data and cost analyses to evaluate their organization’s policies. They also must be able to interpret the details of contracts and laws.
***Business skills.*** Specialists must understand basic finance and accounting. They help set the wages and benefits packages for new employees.
***Communication skills.*** Specialists need to provide information about compensation and benefits in a way that is understandable to employees at all levels throughout their organization.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Specialists must be able to evaluate job positions, salary scales, promotion practices, and other compensation and benefits policies.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Business operations specialists$78,500  Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists$74,530  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists was $74,530 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $127,340.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                $81,790Management of companies and enterprises
                78,830Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                78,270Insurance carriers and related activities
                69,330Healthcare and social assistance
                64,330Most compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists7%  Business operations specialists6%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists is projected to grow				 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 7,700 openings for compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Organizations will continue to hire benefits specialists to analyze, select, and update their benefits policies. Employee wellness programs are a popular way to reduce healthcare costs. Organizations will need benefits specialists to design, evaluate, and administer these programs.
In addition, organizations must offer competitive compensation packages to attract and keep highly qualified workers. To allocate their compensation funds effectively, many organizations use strategies such as pay-for-performance plans, which may include bonuses, paid leave, or other incentives as part of the compensation package. Organizations will need specialists to analyze these compensation policies and plans and to ensure that they are both competitive and cost effective.
			

                        Employment projections data for     compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists**
			13-1141
			98,200
			105,100
			7
			6,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents**
            Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,180**Compensation and Benefits Managers**
            Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $136,380**Human Resources Managers**
            Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
            Bachelor's degree
            $136,350**Human Resources Specialists**
            Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
            Bachelor's degree
            $67,650**Insurance Sales Agents**
            Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $59,080**Training and Development Managers**
            Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
            Bachelor's degree
            $125,040**Training and Development Specialists**
            Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,340**Labor Relations Specialists**
            Labor relations specialists resolve employee-management disputes and negotiate labor contracts.
            Bachelor's degree
            $89,980
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists, including certification, visit
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
WorldatWork
For information about human resources careers, visit
Society for Human Resource Management
For more information about human resources certifications, visit
HR Certification Institute

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/compensation-benefits-and-job-analysis-specialists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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