The salary of a Compensation Specialist I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Compensation Specialist I in the United States is $65,000. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $61,600 to $71,800, with most professionals earning between $58,504 and $77,991.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $71,800 | $5,983 | $1,381 | $35 |
| Average | $65,000 | $5,417 | $1,250 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $5,133 | $1,185 | $30 |
An entry-level Compensation Specialist I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $64,746. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $65,000. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $66,218. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $67,030, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $67,233.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Compensation Specialist I | $64,746 |
| Intermediate Level Compensation Specialist I | $65,000 |
| Senior Level Compensation Specialist I | $66,218 |
| Specialist Level Compensation Specialist I | $67,030 |
| Expert Level Compensation Specialist I | $67,233 |
| Entry Level | 0% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Compensation Specialist I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $61,542 in 2023 to approximately $60,571 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Compensation Specialist I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Compensation Specialist I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Compensation Specialist I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Compensation Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $65,000 | 69.2% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,973 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,730 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,300 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 8.9% | ||
| Pension | $3,510 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $8,000 | 8.5% | ||
| Total Compensation | $93,865 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 4.3% |
| Associates | 4.9% |
| Bachelors | 58.2% |
| Masters | 32.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
What Am I Worth?
If you make $75,000 a year, you're earning above the maximum salary for a Compensation Specialist, which is $73,300. This places you well above the average income, making it a good salary in the U.S. It translates to about $6,250 per month, $1,442.31 per week, or $36.06 an hour, indicating a comfortable financial position.
Specialists typically earn competitive salaries due to their specialized training. For a Compensation Specialist, the salary ranges from $60,400 to $73,300, with a midpoint of $66,700. This reflects the value placed on their expertise compared to non-specialists, who generally earn less.
The responsibilities of compensation extend beyond just salary figures. A compensation committee manages various components of overall compensation, including profit sharing, bonuses, and stock options. They must align these elements with the organization's future goals while considering salary ranges, which for a Compensation Specialist are between $60,400 and $73,300.
A good salary in the USA varies by role and experience. For a Compensation Specialist, the salary range is between $60,400 and $73,300, with a midpoint of $66,700. This reflects a competitive compensation structure, aligning with the broader average salary in the USA, which is around $59,640.
To become a compensation and benefits specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a human resources-related field. Relevant programs include business administration with a focus on human resource management, covering topics like business management, accounting, and industrial relations. Salaries for this role range from $60,400 to $73,300, with a median of $66,700.
Hiring a compensation specialist can enhance your organization's pay structure. With salaries ranging from $60,400 to $73,300, they offer valuable expertise and an objective viewpoint on your compensation strategy. Their insights help create a defensible pay plan and provide access to top benchmarking data, ensuring your compensation remains competitive in the market.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
