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Compensation Associate Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

Performs compensation, job and/or associate data analyzes and provides guidance to company management and/or HR Business Partners that is affordable, internally equitable, externally competitive, and ...

Performs compensation, job and/or associate data analyzes and provides guidance to company management and/or HR Business Partners that is affordable, internally equitable, externally competitive, and ...

The ideal associate takes ownership of a situation and follows up on every request. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, a tight-knit and supportive work environment, plus numerous ...

... associates to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity. This also includes responsibility for continuous process improvement in the use of existing compensation technology and development of ...

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Compensation Associate information

See North Carolina salary details

$42.3K

$54.1K

$64.1K

How much do compensation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation associate in North Carolina is $54,138.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $58,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a compensation associate do?

A Compensation Associate is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and administration of an organization's compensation programs. They analyze salary data, benchmark roles against industry standards, assist with salary reviews, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Their work helps ensure that employees are paid fairly and competitively, which can improve employee satisfaction and retention. Compensation Associates often collaborate with HR, finance, and management teams to align pay structures with company goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a compensation associate?

To thrive as a Compensation Associate, you need a solid understanding of compensation principles, data analysis, and human resources practices, usually backed by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with HR information systems (HRIS), advanced Excel skills, and compensation management tools like PayScale or Workday is often required. Strong attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication help you excel in handling sensitive data and collaborating across teams. These skills are crucial to ensure accurate compensation analysis, compliance, and fair pay practices within an organization.

What are some common challenges compensation associates face when analyzing salary data across different departments?

Compensation Associates often encounter challenges such as inconsistent job titles, varying responsibilities across departments, and discrepancies in market data when analyzing salary information. Navigating these differences requires strong analytical skills and close collaboration with HR partners and department managers to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness. Staying updated with industry benchmarks and using standardized job evaluation methods can help address these issues and support fair compensation decisions.

What is the difference between Compensation Associate vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectCompensation AssociatePayroll Specialist
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field; certifications like CCP are a plusOften a degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business; certifications like CPP or payroll-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentHR or Compensation departments within organizations, focusing on pay structures and benefitsFinance or HR departments, handling payroll processing and compliance
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries in HR teams to manage compensation dataCommon in organizations with in-house payroll processing or payroll service providers

The Compensation Associate primarily focuses on designing and managing employee pay structures, benefits, and compensation data. In contrast, the Payroll Specialist handles the processing of employee wages, tax deductions, and compliance with payroll regulations. While both roles require knowledge of compensation and HR policies, the Compensation Associate emphasizes strategy and data management, whereas the Payroll Specialist concentrates on accurate payroll execution and reporting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in North Carolina?

The most popular types of Compensation jobs in North Carolina are:

What job categories do people searching Compensation Associate jobs in North Carolina look for?

The top searched job categories for Compensation Associate jobs in North Carolina are:

What cities in North Carolina are hiring for Compensation Associate jobs?

Cities in North Carolina with the most Compensation Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Compensation Associate job openings in North Carolina as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,138 per year, or $26 per hour.

Associate Director, Compensation

Charlotte, NC

Barings
Finance and Insurance • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

At Barings, we are as invested in our associates as we are in our clients. We recognize those who work diligently for us and reward them for personal and professional integrity, communication skills, distinct competencies and expertise in specific strategies, ability to collaborate as a team member and true dedication to the interests of our clients.

We thank you for your interest in joining the Barings team, and invite you to explore our current employment opportunities.

Title: Associate Director, Compensation

Business Unit: Human Resources- Total Rewards

Location: London, UK or Charlotte, NC

Barings is a leading global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients and customers. Through active asset management and direct origination, we provide innovative solutions and access to differentiated opportunities across public and private capital markets. A subsidiary of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with business and investment professionals located across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Job Summary

The Compensation Associate Director role leads complex compensation programs, analyses, and processes that support the firm's compensation strategy and business objectives. This role serves as a subject matter expert within Total Rewards, partnering closely with HR Business Partners, Talent teams, Finance, Legal, and business leaders to deliver competitive, equitable, compliant, and scalable compensation solutions. The role is accountable for multiple compensation processes and programs, anticipates and resolves complex business issues, and may lead initiatives or coordinate the work of others.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead complex market pricing, compensation survey participation, benchmarking, and pay positioning analyses across functions and regions
  • Own key components of the annual compensation cycle, including merit, incentive, promotion, and year-end planning activities
  • Develop compensation recommendations, models, reports, and dashboards that inform HR, Finance, and business leadership decisions
  • Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide compensation guidance, evaluate pay decisions, and address complex compensation matters
  • Lead or support job evaluation, leveling, business title alignment, and pay structure development to promote consistency and internal equity
  • Identify process improvements, strengthen governance, and enhance compensation procedures, tools, and controls
  • Maintain, audit, and analyze compensation data in Workday and related systems to ensure accuracy, consistency, and readiness for decision-making
  • Monitor compensation practices for compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and market standards

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Economics, Analytics, or related field preferred
  • Typically 4-6 years of progressive compensation, total rewards, HR analytics, or related experience
  • Advanced working knowledge of compensation principles, market pricing, job evaluation, pay equity, incentive planning, and annual compensation processes
  • Experience partnering with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, Talent, and senior business stakeholders
  • Strong analytical, modeling, and data interpretation skills; advanced Excel skills required
  • Experience with Workday or comparable HRIS/compensation systems preferred
  • Ability to manage multiple processes or programs, exercise judgment and discretion, and recommend practical solutions to complex business issues
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex compensation concepts for varied audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively, take accountability, foster trust, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment

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Requisite Skills

Additional Skills

Barings is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; Minority/Female/Age/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply.