Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary by State
The national median pay for compensation and benefits managers is $149,230 a year. By state, it ranges from $89,250 in Mississippi to $199,190 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $89,160
- 25th percentile
- $113,170
- Median
- $149,230
- 75th percentile
- $200,610
- Top 10%
- $256,570
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 22,940 jobs.
Median pay in 44 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $199,190 | +33% | $116,830 | $301,180 | 460 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $197,970 | +33% | $98,380 | $367,460 | 480 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $184,070 | +23% | $128,390 | $285,030 | 670 |
| 4 | New York | $175,620 | +18% | $114,990 | $287,490 | 2,260 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $168,370 | +13% | $111,720 | $259,690 | 950 |
| 6 | California | $166,730 | +12% | $105,840 | $289,910 | 2,970 |
| 7 | Delaware | $166,070 | +11% | $114,950 | $264,990 | 50 |
| 8 | Colorado | $165,770 | +11% | $92,990 | $227,230 | 280 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $163,390 | +9% | $102,690 | $231,830 | 360 |
| 10 | Georgia | $163,060 | +9% | $96,540 | $290,070 | 1,010 |
| 11 | Oregon | $161,470 | +8% | $100,400 | $226,250 | 240 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $160,990 | +8% | $114,410 | $251,490 | 130 |
| 13 | Virginia | $153,660 | +3% | $110,070 | $281,000 | Not published |
| 14 | Illinois | $151,730 | +2% | $78,420 | $235,730 | 780 |
| 15 | Michigan | $151,620 | +2% | $95,800 | $240,790 | 580 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $149,340 | 0% | $93,230 | $264,210 | 50 |
| 17 | Ohio | $141,920 | −5% | $84,580 | $227,440 | 460 |
| 18 | Maryland | $139,860 | −6% | $91,730 | $244,050 | 430 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $139,040 | −7% | $92,140 | $225,670 | 770 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $136,950 | −8% | $90,830 | $200,200 | 100 |
| 21 | Texas | $136,930 | −8% | $86,550 | $216,890 | 2,230 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $135,240 | −9% | $63,740 | $227,410 | 880 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $132,780 | −11% | $83,010 | $258,950 | 670 |
| 24 | Utah | $132,620 | −11% | $80,990 | $213,870 | 200 |
| 25 | Arizona | $129,890 | −13% | $80,390 | $210,860 | 510 |
| 26 | Maine | $129,690 | −13% | $86,600 | $198,930 | 50 |
| 27 | Florida | $127,960 | −14% | $79,310 | $206,170 | 1,670 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $127,920 | −14% | $86,490 | $214,250 | Not published |
| 29 | New Mexico | $124,390 | −17% | $74,040 | $248,930 | 40 |
| 30 | Alaska | $122,490 | −18% | $69,150 | $154,560 | 30 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $121,630 | −18% | $83,200 | $183,490 | 140 |
| 32 | Alabama | $118,470 | −21% | $84,090 | $205,840 | 90 |
| 33 | Iowa | $118,250 | −21% | $77,000 | $202,600 | 120 |
| 34 | Indiana | $118,180 | −21% | $80,620 | $189,560 | 170 |
| 35 | Nevada | $115,180 | −23% | $62,480 | $202,180 | 180 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $114,290 | −23% | $80,850 | $194,170 | 110 |
| 37 | Kansas | $114,070 | −24% | $82,890 | $173,240 | 70 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $110,120 | −26% | $76,670 | $171,110 | 60 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $107,760 | −28% | $74,880 | $197,020 | 180 |
| 40 | Missouri | $106,490 | −29% | $81,110 | $204,140 | 250 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $100,810 | −32% | $63,120 | $275,560 | 140 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $99,840 | −33% | $71,620 | $241,390 | 220 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $99,630 | −33% | $61,100 | $211,660 | 330 |
| 44 | Idaho | $90,020 | −40% | $83,710 | $199,990 | 100 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $89,250 | −40% | $59,030 | $149,990 | 70 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary questions
Which state pays compensation and benefits managers the most?
Washington, with a median of $199,190 a year (+33% vs. the national median of $149,230). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays compensation and benefits managers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $89,250 a year (−40% vs. national).
Where do most compensation and benefits managers work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,970, with a median of $166,730.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.