Compensation and benefits managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Compensation and Benefits Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities and staff of an organization. Include job analysis and position description managers.
Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists held about 820,000 jobs in 2004. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty:
| Training and development specialists | 216,000 |
| Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists | 182,000 |
| Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other | 166,000 |
| Human resources managers | 157,000 |
| Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialist | 99,000 |
Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists were employed in virtually every industry. About 21,000 specialists were self-employed, working as consultants to public and private employers.
The private sector accounted for more than 8 out of 10 salaried jobs, including 11 percent in administrative and support services; 9 percent in professional, scientific, and technical services; 9 percent in manufacturing; 9 percent in health care and social assistance; and 9 percent in finance and insurance firms.
Government employed 17 percent of human resources managers and specialists. They handled the recruitment, interviewing, job classification, training, salary administration, benefits, employee relations, and other matters related to the Nation’s public employees.
Annual salary rates for human resources workers vary according to occupation, level of experience, training, location, and size of the firm, and whether they are union members.
Median annual earnings of compensation and benefits managers were $66,530 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,970 and $89,340. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,880. In May 2004, median annual earnings were $81,080 in the management of companies and enterprises industry.
Median annual earnings of training and development managers were $67,460 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,060 and $91,020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,580.
Median annual earnings of human resources managers, all other were $81,810 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,080 and $106,440. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $136,600. In May 2004, median annual earnings were $92,590, in the management of companies and enterprises industry.
Median annual earnings of employment, recruitment, and placement specialists were $41,190 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,820 and $55,540. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,230. In May 2004, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of employment, recruitment, and placement specialists were:
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $52,800 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 46,780 |
| Local government | 40,540 |
| Employment services | 37,780 |
| State government | 35,390 |
Median annual earnings of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists were $47,490 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,050 and $59,860. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,650. In May 2004, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists were:
| Local government | $51,430 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 50,970 |
| State government | 39,150 |
Median annual earnings of training and development specialists were $44,570 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,530 and $58,750. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,650. In May 2004, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of training and development specialists were:
| Management of companies and enterprises | $49,540 |
| Insurance carriers | 47,300 |
| Local government | 45,320 |
| State government | 41,770 |
| Federal Government | 38,930 |
According to a 2005 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor’s degree candidates majoring in human resources, including labor relations, received starting offers averaging $36,967 a year.
The average salary for human resources managers employed by the Federal Government was $71,232 in 2005; for employee relations specialists, $84,847; for labor relations specialists, $93,895; and for employee development specialists, $80,958. Salaries were slightly higher in areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. There are no formal entry-level requirements for managerial positions. Applicants must possess a suitable combination of educational attainment, experience, and record of accomplishment.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Compensation and benefits managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 370 mean earnings: $83,590 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,400 | $54,240 | $75,610 | $102,420 | $138,900 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 170 mean earnings: $97,170 | $49,680 | $63,620 | $84,260 | $122,830 | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 120 mean earnings: $71,170 | $38,560 | $47,150 | $64,060 | $90,850 | $114,070 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 80 mean earnings: $74,440 | $45,700 | $52,930 | $74,290 | $91,370 | $112,260 |
| Utilities employment: 410 mean earnings: $82,500 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,000 | $61,190 | $79,190 | $98,150 | $123,720 |
| Utilities employment: 410 mean earnings: $82,500 | $49,000 | $61,190 | $79,190 | $98,150 | $123,720 |
| Construction employment: 910 mean earnings: $76,740 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,190 | $48,700 | $63,940 | $87,600 | $140,970 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 580 mean earnings: $83,690 | $41,090 | $50,460 | $66,770 | $93,830 | >$145K |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 230 mean earnings: $64,810 | $38,420 | $45,470 | $58,720 | $76,490 | $99,050 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 90 mean earnings: $63,110 | $34,200 | $43,920 | $64,870 | $81,580 | $90,170 |
| Manufacturing employment: 9,480 mean earnings: $75,140 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,110 | $51,960 | $68,650 | $90,790 | $118,520 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 920 mean earnings: $73,610 | $40,560 | $51,210 | $66,670 | $87,910 | $116,380 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 130 mean earnings: $77,560 | $44,230 | $53,510 | $72,920 | $93,490 | $115,820 |
| Textile Mills employment: 130 mean earnings: $66,200 | $39,140 | $48,930 | $62,080 | $81,680 | $98,190 |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 70 mean earnings: $58,400 | $32,140 | $41,330 | $54,750 | $68,780 | $89,130 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $64,200 | $33,520 | $41,960 | $56,350 | $73,580 | $105,360 |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 30 mean earnings: $63,690 | $30,480 | $33,390 | $50,900 | $76,450 | $93,620 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 200 mean earnings: $63,730 | $36,460 | $45,050 | $55,840 | $72,640 | $101,670 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 390 mean earnings: $77,220 | $42,730 | $53,120 | $69,180 | $94,730 | $121,830 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 380 mean earnings: $69,710 | $41,340 | $51,410 | $65,180 | $83,910 | $107,080 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $97,950 | $50,170 | $62,750 | $86,080 | $130,640 | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 960 mean earnings: $81,040 | $43,970 | $56,180 | $76,150 | $98,510 | $121,240 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 620 mean earnings: $69,260 | $41,830 | $50,450 | $63,110 | $82,590 | $105,220 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 70 mean earnings: $76,030 | $47,840 | $55,950 | $72,470 | $98,930 | $113,380 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 360 mean earnings: $72,730 | $41,450 | $52,350 | $67,850 | $87,280 | $110,340 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 1,120 mean earnings: $66,720 | $39,320 | $48,650 | $61,000 | $80,300 | $102,220 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 930 mean earnings: $73,440 | $40,650 | $51,610 | $69,050 | $88,770 | $111,840 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 1,110 mean earnings: $90,840 | $48,380 | $64,040 | $85,000 | $113,630 | $141,400 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 440 mean earnings: $78,100 | $45,040 | $55,180 | $70,790 | $92,850 | $119,800 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 780 mean earnings: $75,180 | $40,130 | $51,960 | $68,610 | $93,550 | $120,600 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 320 mean earnings: $61,900 | $36,870 | $45,400 | $57,570 | $72,630 | $93,140 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 330 mean earnings: $79,810 | $41,930 | $53,540 | $74,460 | $97,020 | $128,860 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 3,070 mean earnings: $73,380 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,300 | $49,390 | $66,440 | $88,350 | $117,560 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 1,670 mean earnings: $69,620 | $36,590 | $47,240 | $63,530 | $85,220 | $111,500 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 1,110 mean earnings: $77,290 | $40,170 | $51,450 | $68,550 | $91,430 | $127,860 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 300 mean earnings: $79,780 | $42,800 | $54,430 | $74,000 | $95,520 | $129,420 |
| Retail Trade employment: 1,880 mean earnings: $65,890 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,170 | $43,730 | $57,340 | $79,680 | $109,250 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 540 mean earnings: $66,040 | $35,740 | $44,110 | $56,880 | $78,580 | $106,880 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 110 mean earnings: $66,990 | $37,970 | $43,580 | $61,170 | $82,320 | $107,790 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 160 mean earnings: $73,230 | $38,000 | $49,520 | $68,650 | $89,320 | $119,180 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 130 mean earnings: $63,420 | $37,900 | $45,750 | $55,120 | $75,760 | $99,280 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 200 mean earnings: $55,050 | $28,720 | $37,600 | $48,240 | $65,710 | $96,270 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 80 mean earnings: $60,940 | $32,690 | $40,590 | $53,490 | $69,610 | $102,620 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 150 mean earnings: $73,910 | $34,350 | $47,960 | $65,250 | $89,020 | $127,480 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 70 mean earnings: $60,500 | $25,200 | $27,810 | $53,440 | $71,120 | $126,260 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 170 mean earnings: $59,890 | $32,950 | $39,140 | $53,100 | $70,400 | $97,340 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 50 mean earnings: $77,000 | $37,730 | $50,370 | $68,350 | $89,010 | $127,070 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 200 mean earnings: $73,720 | $43,090 | $51,450 | $66,590 | $87,430 | $120,290 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 1,290 mean earnings: $72,380 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,650 | $47,620 | $65,800 | $88,420 | $116,860 |
| Air Transportation employment: 100 mean earnings: $83,540 | $47,000 | $59,820 | $79,560 | $103,490 | $128,810 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $86,190 | $39,140 | $54,010 | $75,890 | $101,420 | >$145K |
| Water Transportation employment: 30 mean earnings: $76,670 | $35,390 | $50,150 | $64,050 | $78,900 | >$145K |
| Truck Transportation employment: 350 mean earnings: $67,510 | $34,150 | $42,610 | $61,100 | $83,460 | $112,970 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 70 mean earnings: $58,230 | $32,370 | $41,070 | $53,590 | $73,810 | $89,930 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 290 mean earnings: $74,910 | $41,890 | $53,020 | $70,170 | $88,390 | $117,640 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 180 mean earnings: $84,050 | $36,470 | $45,900 | $79,870 | $108,610 | $142,110 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 190 mean earnings: $62,220 | $35,410 | $45,440 | $58,670 | $74,130 | $92,160 |
| Information employment: 1,710 mean earnings: $86,400 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,180 | $57,050 | $80,060 | $107,790 | $139,090 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 670 mean earnings: $88,550 | $47,380 | $59,150 | $81,720 | $112,020 | $141,400 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 220 mean earnings: $79,680 | $41,700 | $53,380 | $72,630 | $99,900 | $129,620 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 270 mean earnings: $86,410 | $45,800 | $56,990 | $80,400 | $105,670 | $137,070 |
| Telecommunications employment: 280 mean earnings: $84,660 | $45,330 | $55,110 | $78,410 | $104,440 | $137,660 |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 220 mean earnings: $87,020 | $46,980 | $55,430 | $79,550 | $108,640 | $144,110 |
| Other Information Services employment: 30 mean earnings: $89,430 | $60,740 | $72,530 | $95,590 | $108,220 | $115,800 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 5,520 mean earnings: $84,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,520 | $58,280 | $76,370 | $102,620 | $137,430 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 2,440 mean earnings: $81,170 | $46,010 | $56,960 | $72,220 | $95,440 | $131,220 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 720 mean earnings: $93,840 | $49,820 | $65,070 | $87,960 | $112,260 | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 2,130 mean earnings: $85,540 | $45,980 | $58,100 | $77,950 | $104,240 | $138,820 |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 220 mean earnings: $89,550 | $48,370 | $59,080 | $77,160 | $103,890 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 740 mean earnings: $76,290 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,520 | $50,460 | $70,320 | $92,030 | $123,860 |
| Real Estate employment: 600 mean earnings: $77,010 | $39,180 | $51,830 | $70,960 | $91,770 | $123,420 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 110 mean earnings: $77,290 | $34,300 | $48,670 | $70,510 | $97,260 | $129,720 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 5,240 mean earnings: $83,980 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,530 | $56,890 | $75,930 | $100,620 | $137,950 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 5,240 mean earnings: $83,980 | $44,530 | $56,890 | $75,930 | $100,620 | $137,950 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 5,840 mean earnings: $89,150 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,340 | $60,200 | $80,800 | $109,140 | $144,970 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 5,840 mean earnings: $89,150 | $46,340 | $60,200 | $80,800 | $109,140 | $144,970 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 2,800 mean earnings: $69,700 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,390 | $47,660 | $61,690 | $85,460 | $112,820 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 2,710 mean earnings: $69,540 | $35,290 | $47,550 | $61,330 | $85,200 | $112,670 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 90 mean earnings: $74,550 | $39,290 | $51,810 | $74,940 | $90,120 | $117,200 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,610 mean earnings: $71,780 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,160 | $52,490 | $67,900 | $87,350 | $108,900 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,610 mean earnings: $71,780 | $42,160 | $52,490 | $67,900 | $87,350 | $108,900 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 4,980 mean earnings: $64,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,780 | $43,840 | $57,720 | $78,230 | $102,560 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 1,390 mean earnings: $64,030 | $35,110 | $43,980 | $56,080 | $76,760 | $98,570 |
| Hospitals employment: 1,700 mean earnings: $74,460 | $40,930 | $52,350 | $68,980 | $89,660 | $115,100 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 1,110 mean earnings: $56,350 | $32,100 | $39,430 | $51,230 | $67,310 | $88,090 |
| Social Assistance employment: 780 mean earnings: $54,960 | $30,600 | $39,240 | $49,940 | $66,830 | $85,950 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 490 mean earnings: $65,310 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,790 | $43,080 | $58,930 | $82,910 | $109,070 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 70 mean earnings: $84,030 | $39,810 | $58,020 | $81,560 | $99,960 | $134,830 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 70 mean earnings: $74,760 | $40,260 | $50,430 | $62,960 | $86,920 | $130,730 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 350 mean earnings: $59,780 | $29,020 | $39,370 | $55,440 | $75,530 | $100,540 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 1,020 mean earnings: $61,680 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,350 | $42,090 | $54,740 | $75,910 | $96,280 |
| Accommodation employment: 760 mean earnings: $62,910 | $34,620 | $43,290 | $56,250 | $78,100 | $96,800 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 260 mean earnings: $58,020 | $30,720 | $38,450 | $50,890 | $67,550 | $94,870 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 900 mean earnings: $70,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,290 | $50,950 | $64,710 | $86,920 | $109,290 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 40 mean earnings: $56,580 | $32,610 | $41,720 | $53,470 | $68,480 | $89,350 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 850 mean earnings: $71,230 | $42,060 | $51,280 | $65,240 | $87,350 | $110,100 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 3,190 mean earnings: $66,760 (def) (IG) | $39,070 | $49,910 | $64,720 | $82,160 | $98,160 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 3,190 mean earnings: $66,760 | $39,070 | $49,910 | $64,720 | $82,160 | $98,160 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.