Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary
Compensation and Benefits Managers in District of Columbia make a median of $160,990 a year, or about $77.4 an hour. The range runs from $114K at the entry level to $251K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $147,860 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 22.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $161K get you in District of Columbia?
About compensation and benefits managers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in District of Columbia
Compensation and benefits managers pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $161K locally vs. $149K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 23.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level compensation and benefits managers (10th percentile) start around $114K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $251K or more, a $137K spread from bottom to top.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $172K | +7% | 590 |
Compare to other states
Track compensation and benefits managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Management
Frequently asked questions
Can a compensation and benefits manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 23.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for compensation and benefits managers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new compensation and benefits managers typically earn — is $114K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,865/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 31% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is compensation and benefits manager a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $161K locally vs. $149K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for compensation and benefits managers?
District of Columbia pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $149K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $148K — below the national median.
How much do compensation and benefits managers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $160,990 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $114,410, and experienced compensation and benefits managers can clear $251,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,162/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 23.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a compensation and benefits managers salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median compensation and benefits managers salary is worth about $147,860 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do compensation and benefits managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.