Compensation & Benefits Specialist Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue

Manages employee pay structures, benefits programs, and job classification systems.

Ranks #5 of 530 metros·Washington·$104,499 avg

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #5 of 530 U.S. metro areas for compensation & benefits specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $16,741 above the national average.

Level I
$66,997
vs national avg: +33%
Level II
$85,654
vs national avg: +38%
Level III
$104,312
vs national avg: +42%
Level IV
$122,970
vs national avg: +44%

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$66,997$50,256+$16,741+33.3%
Level II$85,654$61,931+$23,723+38.3%
Level III (Mid)$104,312$73,605+$30,707+41.7%
Level IV (Senior)$122,970$85,280+$37,690+44.2%

Other metros in Washington

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee$66,560$122,034$103,730
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard$66,102$121,597$103,293
Mount Vernon-Anacortes$65,874$120,765$102,648
Bellingham$67,018$102,586$90,854
Longview-Kelso$62,608$100,339$87,901

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average compensation & benefits specialist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

The average compensation & benefits specialist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue is $104,499 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at rank #5 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level compensation & benefits specialists earn in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

Entry-level compensation & benefits specialists (Level I) in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue earn $66,997 per year. Level II (early career) earns $85,654, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for compensation & benefits specialist salaries?

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #5 of 530 U.S. metro areas for compensation & benefits specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $16,741 above the national average. The national average compensation & benefits specialist salary is $73,722, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue workers average $104,499 — a difference of +42% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 13-1141.