Benefits Specialist: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What does a Benefits Specialist do?

Benefits specialists manage employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. You handle enrollment, answer employee questions, and ensure that benefits are administered correctly.

Benefits Specialist: Main duties

Benefits Specialists in the Healthcare field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Administer various employee benefits programs, such as group health, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, 401(k), and wellness benefits.
Conduct benefits orientations and explain benefits self-enrollment systems.
Maintain and update employee records and benefits files.
Coordinate daily benefits processing, including enrollments, terminations, and claims.
Handle benefits inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
Assist with the setup of insurance billing, resolve discrepancies, and provide information in non-routine situations.
Prepare and set up reports for the processing of all benefits enrollments and provide administrative support for all benefits plans.
Participate in annual benefits open enrollment period.

Benefits Specialist: Key Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
Experience in HR operations and administration of benefits programs.
Knowledge of benefits contract language and familiarity with COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, and related state and federal regulations governing employee benefits.
Proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration software.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Basic Skills and Requirements for Benefits Specialists

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of the organization and outside contacts.
Detail-oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry and analysis.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet all deadlines.
Sensitivity to confidential matters is required.
Adaptability and flexibility to handle the evolution of HR benefits functions and tasks.

Salary Expectations for Benefits Specialists

Job	Branch	Avg. US Salary
Benefits Specialist	Healthcare	58,600 USD

The average salary for a Benefits Specialist in the U.S. is approximately $58,600 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Benefits Specialists may receive a wide range of benefits.

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$73,250
Senior	11+ years	$64,460
Experienced	6-10 years	$58,600
Mid Level	3-5 years	$52,740
Entry Level	0-2 years	$43,950

To explore more detailed salary information, including specific salary estimates in your country, visit the Benefits Specialist Salary Country Overview.

Career Path for Benefits Specialists

Benefits Specialists can advance to higher-level positions such as Benefits Manager or Director of Compensation and Benefits. They may also specialize in specific areas of benefits like retirement plans or wellness programs, or transition into broader HR roles, contributing to strategic planning and employee engagement initiatives.

Benefits Specialist: Work Environment

Benefits Specialists work in office settings, typically in the human resources department of organizations across various industries. They may work standard office hours, but additional hours can occur during periods of open enrollment or when implementing new programs. Their role involves substantial interaction with employees, requiring strong interpersonal communication skills.

Benefits Specialist: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

Gain insight into the role of a Benefits Specialist, crucial in managing and administering employee benefits programs to enhance workforce satisfaction and compliance.