Benefits Specialist vs Project Manager
Pay, skills and open jobs side by side, from current job postings across the US.
Pay
Benefits Specialist
$88,000 typical, a year
Most Benefits Specialists earn $78,600 to $113,900 a year.
From 52 postings that list pay
205 open jobs now
Project Manager
$125,000 typical, a year
Most Project Managers earn $97,500 to $155,900 a year.
From 5,501 postings that list pay
12,448 open jobs now
Project Managers typically earn about $37,000 more a year than Benefits Specialists.
What each one does
Benefits Specialist
- Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefits inquiries and issues.
- Process employee benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in HR and benefits systems.
- Support annual open enrollment activities including planning, communications, and system updates.
- Coordinate with external benefits vendors and resolve billing or claims concerns.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations for all benefit programs.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Project Manager
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to meet project goals and objectives.
- Track project progress against schedules and budgets to ensure timely delivery.
- Manage project risks and identify potential issues before they become problems.
- Prepare and present regular status reports to stakeholders and leadership.
- Communicate with clients and team members to maintain strong relationships.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans and documentation.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Skills employers ask for
Benefits Specialist
Asked for in both
- Microsoft Excel 4 in 10 postings
- Microsoft Office 4 in 10 postings
More common in Benefits Specialist postings
- Benefits Administration 7 in 10 postings
- HRIS 5 in 10 postings
- Payroll 4 in 10 postings
- ERISA 3 in 10 postings
- Workday 3 in 10 postings
- Vendor Management 2 in 10 postings
- Health & Benefits 2 in 10 postings
- Benefits Enrollment 2 in 10 postings
Project Manager
Asked for in both
- Microsoft Excel 2 in 10 postings
- Microsoft Office 2 in 10 postings
More common in Project Manager postings
- Project Management 6 in 10 postings
- Program Management 2 in 10 postings
- Project Planning 2 in 10 postings
- Risk Management 1 in 10 postings
- MS Project 1 in 10 postings
Out of each role's current postings.
Licenses and certifications
Benefits Specialist
None stand out in current postings.
Project Manager
- PMP 3 in 10 postings
Open jobs
Benefits Specialist
Benefits Analyst
Bluecrossnc$60,907 - $97,452/yrstated Hybrid Flex - DurhamSalesforceWorkdayData AnalysisBenefits AdministrationServiceNow +5Manager, Benefits & Toal Rewards
Rag & BonePay not stated New York, NY HybridMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OfficeADP Workforce NowERISAPayroll +7Benefits Specialist
Care.com$43 - $47/hr Employer statedDallas, TX, United States RemoteMicrosoft ExcelWorkdayGoogle SheetsBenefits AdministrationERISA +4
Project Manager
- Pay not stated Dallas, TX - HeadquartersMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointPower BIProject ManagementMicrosoft Office
Engineering Project Manager - New Generation Projects
Emerson ElectricPay not stated Pittsburgh, PA, United States HybridProject ManagementBiomanufacturing Operations Coordinator
Booz Allen$55,200 - $126k/yrstated Edgewood, MD OnsiteSmartsheetBSL-2Batch RecordsTechnical DocumentationBioprocess +7
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