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Benefits Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Alera Group

Associate Account Executive

Burbank, CA · On-site +1

$75K - $85K/yr

OVERVIEW Employee Benefits - Associate Account Executive Remote | Preference for PST time zones At Alera Group, our Employee Benefits teams help organizations attract, retain, and engage their ...

ATOMS Careers page

Benefits Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Manage a small team of benefit associates What we're looking for * Global Benefits Experience: Experience designing, implementing, or managing global benefits programs across multiple countries.

ATOMS Careers page

Benefits Manager

San Francisco, CA

$140K - $160K/yr

Manage a small team of benefit associates What we're looking for * Global Benefits Experience: Experience designing, implementing, or managing global benefits programs across multiple countries.

AutoNation

Sales Associate - BMW Buena Park

Buena Park, CA · On-site

$5.0K - $10K/mo

Competitive benefits * Career paths into finance, management, and beyond * A culture built on trust ... Our e-Commerce Sales Associates provide an exceptional customer experience both before and after ...

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All JobsBenefits Associate JobsBenefits Associate Jobs in California

Benefits Associate information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$32

How much do benefits associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for benefits associate in California is $19.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $20.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a benefits associate?

Benefits Associates are human resources professionals who specialize in administering and managing employee benefits programs within an organization. Their responsibilities include enrolling employees in health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits, answering benefits-related questions, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. They act as a liaison between employees and benefits providers, helping employees understand their options and resolve any issues related to their benefits. Benefits Associates play a key role in ensuring employees receive the benefits they are entitled to, while also supporting organizational goals.

What is the difference between Benefits Associate vs Benefits Coordinator?

CriteriaBenefits AssociateBenefits Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer a relevant certificationHigh school diploma; often preferred to have certifications like CEBS or similar
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, interacting with employees and HR teamsOffice environment, managing benefits programs and employee inquiries
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in healthcare, corporate, and government sectorsUsed across similar industries, focusing on benefits administration
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing entry-level benefits rolesIndividuals seeking roles with more responsibilities in benefits management

The Benefits Associate typically handles basic benefits administration tasks, assisting employees with inquiries and processing benefits data. The Benefits Coordinator often takes on a more active role in managing benefits programs, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring compliance. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but the Benefits Coordinator usually involves more responsibility and experience.

What are some common challenges benefits associates face when managing employee benefits inquiries?

Benefits Associates often handle a high volume of questions from employees regarding complex benefits plans, such as health insurance, retirement, and leave policies. One challenge is ensuring accurate and timely communication while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of changing regulations and company policies. Additionally, Benefits Associates must balance confidentiality with the need to provide clear, helpful guidance, often collaborating closely with HR, payroll, and external vendors. Developing strong organizational and interpersonal skills can help overcome these challenges and improve the employee experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a benefits associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Benefits Associate, you need a strong understanding of employee benefits administration, attention to detail, and typically a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS platforms, benefits management software, and compliance regulations such as ERISA is highly valuable. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and discretion in handling sensitive information are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate benefits administration, regulatory compliance, and positive employee experiences within organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Benefits jobs in California? The most popular types of Benefits jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Benefits Associate jobs in California? For Benefits Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Benefits Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Benefits Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Benefits Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Benefits Associate job openings:
Benefits Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Benefits Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,786 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

San Diego, CA • On-site

$260K - $390K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney
Locations

Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Downtown Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Palo Alto, California; Reston, Virginia; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; Santa Monica, California; Washington, DC

Direct Counsel is seeking a Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney to join the nationally recognized executive compensation and employee benefits practice of a premier law firm.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a 3rd–6th year associate with sophisticated experience in executive compensation, equity arrangements, public company disclosure, and transactional benefits support to work on high-profile matters involving M&A, IPOs, and complex compensation structures.

The role offers substantial exposure to deal-driven compensation work, public company counseling, and executive arrangements for leading corporate clients.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have 3–6 years of executive compensation and employee benefits experience, including strong familiarity with:

  • Equity and executive compensation
  • Proxy disclosures
  • Employment agreements
  • Severance agreements
  • IRC Sections 280G and 409A
  • Compensation issues in mergers & acquisitions
  • IPO-related compensation matters
  • Public company governance and disclosure support

This is an excellent opportunity for an associate who enjoys both standalone executive compensation counseling and deal-side compensation support.

Key Responsibilities
  • Advise clients on:
    • Executive compensation arrangements
    • Equity incentive plans
    • Employment and severance agreements
    • Change-in-control protections
    • Deferred compensation structures
  • Support compensation and benefits issues in:
    • M&A transactions
    • IPOs
    • Capital markets transactions
    • Corporate restructurings
  • Draft and review:
    • Equity award agreements
    • Proxy disclosures
    • Employment contracts
    • Retention and severance agreements
    • Transaction bonus and rollover structures
  • Counsel on compliance with:
    • IRC 280G
    • IRC 409A
    • SEC disclosure requirements
  • Work closely with M&A, capital markets, tax, and employment teams on integrated matters
  • Advise boards, compensation committees, and senior executives on compensation governance issues
Qualifications
  • J.D. from an accredited law school
  • 3–6 years of compensation & benefits experience
  • Strong background in:
    • Executive compensation
    • Equity compensation
    • Proxy disclosures
    • M&A and IPO compensation support
    • 280G and 409A analysis
  • Excellent academic credentials
  • Superior writing, oral communication, and analytical skills
  • Strong client counseling and drafting abilities
  • Admission in the applicable jurisdiction preferred
Compensation

Base salary range: $260,000 – $390,000

Compensation will vary based on office, class year, experience, and overall fit.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal attorney will be:

  • Strong in executive compensation and public company work
  • Comfortable with transaction-side benefits support
  • Experienced with 280G and 409A technical issues
  • Interested in high-level board and compensation committee matters
  • Commercially minded and detail-oriented
  • Looking for national platform sophistication
Why This Opportunity

This is a highly attractive opportunity for a midlevel executive compensation associate seeking sophisticated deal flow, public company counseling, and strong national flexibility across major legal markets. The multi-office platform plus M&A/IPO crossover makes this especially compelling for associates looking to deepen both technical and transactional compensation expertise.