Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in District of Columbia
Compensation and Benefits Managers in District of Columbia earn a median of $160,990 a year ($77.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $114,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $251,490 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $149,230. District of Columbia ranks 12th of 45 states for compensation and benefits managers pay. There are 0.18 compensation and benefits managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $170,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compensation and benefits managers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| 25th percentile | $129,540 | $62.28 |
| Median | $160,990 | $77.40 |
| 75th percentile | $204,230 | $98.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $251,490 | $120.91 |
| Average (mean) | $170,480 | $81.96 |
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 | $13,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,707.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,191.92 |
| Weekly | $3,095.96 |
| Hourly | $77.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $160,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $171,950 | 590 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $188,880 | $90.81 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Human Resources Manager | $184,350 | $88.63 |
| Purchasing Manager | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Facilities Manager | $115,770 | $55.66 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $132,180 | $63.55 |
| Training and Development Managers | $141,710 | $68.13 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $124,420 | $59.82 |
| General and Operations Managers | $168,000 | $80.77 |
| Managers, All Other | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Public Relations Manager | $197,600 | $95.00 |
| Marketing Manager | $177,170 | $85.18 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $94,080 | $45.23 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for compensation and benefits managers in District of Columbia is $160,990 a year, or $77.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $114,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $251,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compensation and benefits managers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of compensation and benefits managers in District of Columbia earn at least $251,490 a year. The top 25% earn $204,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for compensation and benefits managers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $114,410 a year, and a quarter of compensation and benefits managers earn $129,540 or less.
How many compensation and benefits managers work in District of Columbia?
About 130 compensation and benefits managers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.