Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in Washington
Compensation and Benefits Managers in Washington earn a median of $199,190 a year ($95.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $116,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $301,180 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $149,230. Washington ranks 1st of 45 states for compensation and benefits managers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 compensation and benefits managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $206,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compensation and benefits managers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $116,830 | $56.17 |
| 25th percentile | $140,850 | $67.72 |
| Median | $199,190 | $95.77 |
| 75th percentile | $256,570 | $123.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $301,180 | $144.80 |
| Average (mean) | $206,130 | $99.10 |
Half of compensation and benefits managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $16,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,299.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,661.15 |
| Weekly | $3,830.58 |
| Hourly | $95.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $216,580 | 340 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $168,540 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for compensation and benefits managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $199,190 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 |
| New York | $175,620 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 |
| California | $166,730 |
| Delaware | $166,070 |
| Colorado | $165,770 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 |
| Georgia | $163,060 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $209,370 | $100.66 |
| Financial Manager | $174,840 | $84.06 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $145,210 | $69.81 |
| Human Resources Manager | $165,530 | $79.58 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $130,630 | $62.80 |
| Facilities Manager | $139,990 | $67.31 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $136,500 | $65.62 |
| Purchasing Manager | $162,730 | $78.24 |
| Training and Development Managers | $163,360 | $78.54 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,750 | $64.30 |
| Managers, All Other | $164,160 | $78.92 |
| Sales Manager | $174,000 | $83.65 |
| Marketing Manager | $172,270 | $82.82 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $145,290 | $69.85 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-3111. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compensation and benefits managers make in Washington?
The median salary for compensation and benefits managers in Washington is $199,190 a year, or $95.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $116,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $301,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compensation and benefits managers make in Washington?
The top 10% of compensation and benefits managers in Washington earn at least $301,180 a year. The top 25% earn $256,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for compensation and benefits managers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $116,830 a year, and a quarter of compensation and benefits managers earn $140,850 or less.
How many compensation and benefits managers work in Washington?
About 460 compensation and benefits managers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.