Human Resources Managers vs Compensation & Benefits Managers
Median pay is about the same for both. Both usually start with the same education: bachelor's.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Human Resources Managers | Compensation & Benefits Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $149,280, higher | $149,230 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $111,110 | $113,170, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $199,290 | $200,610, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +5.5% Growing fast, higher | +1.1% Growing |
| Openings a year | 16,800 | 1,600 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Bachelor's | Bachelor's |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.8 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | High | Very high |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 72nd pct | 85th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, writing, critical thinking, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.