Compensation and Benefits Manager salary
From 38 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 11-3111: Compensation and Benefits Managers
At a glance
- Median up 12% since FY2020. From $137,000 in FY2020 to $153,400 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Compensation and Benefits Manager H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 38 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Compensation and Benefits Manager jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 11-3111, Compensation and Benefits Managers). The median base salary is $159,193, 30% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $135,650 and $189,863.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 0% of filings
Mid-level · 100% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | – | 0 |
| Level II · Qualified | $150,687 | 10 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Compensation and Benefits Manager does
Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
Typical tasks
- Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
- Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
- Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
- Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
- Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Compensation and Benefits Managers (11-3111.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Compensation and Benefits Managers), the median annual wage was $149,230 in May 2025, with 22,940 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $159,193, 7% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $103,484 | $89,160 |
| 25th percentile | $135,650 | $113,170 |
| Median | $159,193 | $149,230 |
| 75th percentile | $189,863 | $200,610 |
| 90th percentile | $223,871 | $239,200+ |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $103,484 |
| 25th | $135,650 |
| 50th (median) | $159,193 |
| 75th | $189,863 |
| 90th | $223,871 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $137,000 | $109,072 | $158,750 | 26 |
| FY2021 | $144,707 | $123,520 | $182,493 | 19 |
| FY2022 | $151,275 | $130,000 | $171,380 | 17 |
| FY2023 | $155,760 | $134,725 | $170,375 | 16 |
| FY2024 | $180,800 | $156,692 | $219,863 | 22 |
| FY2025 | $160,000 | $137,532 | $203,900 | 19 |
| FY2026 | $153,400 | $122,668 | $185,143 | 19 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Compensation and Benefits Manager make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Compensation and Benefits Manager jobs is $159,193 (38 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $135,650 and $189,863.
Do H-1B Compensation and Benefits Managers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($159,193) is 7% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($149,230, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.