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Compensation Associate Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Manager, Compensation

Quincy, MA ยท On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Associate resource groups. Qualifications * 7+ years of progressively more responsibility managing compensation programs * Multi-location and hourly workforce experience; publicly traded company ...

New

Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5 pm | Compensation: $22.00/hour Position Overview Homans Associates is a subsidiary of the largest independent HVAC/R distribution company in the world, Watsco, Inc. We ...

Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm | Compensation: $22.00/hour Position Overview Homans Associates is a subsidiary of the largest independent HVAC/R distribution company in the world, Watsco, Inc. We ...

Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 7 pm | Compensation: $22.00/hour Position Overview Homans Associates is a subsidiary of the largest independent HVAC/R distribution company in the world, Watsco, Inc. We ...

Standish Management is looking for associates to join our fund administration team. With guidance ... Actual compensation will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience and qualifications.

Associate

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$64K/yr

Standish Management is looking for associates to join our fund administration team. With guidance ... Actual compensation will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience and qualifications.

Showing results 41-60

Compensation Associate information

See Boston, MA salary details

$50.5K

$64.7K

$76.6K

How much do compensation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation associate in Boston, MA is $64,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $70,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Compensation jobs in Boston, MA are:
What job categories do people searching Compensation Associate jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Compensation Associate jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Compensation Associate jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Compensation Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Compensation Associate job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,718 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Sr. Tax Associate (Compensation and Benefits)- Boston

Direct Counsel

Boston, MA โ€ข On-site

$365K - $435K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Direct Counsel is representing an AmLaw 100 firm in its search for a Senior Associate – Tax – Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits.

Locations:
Boston, Century City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Orange County, San Francisco, Silicon Valley

Practice Area:
Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits

Experience Required:
Minimum of 5 years

About the Opportunity:
Direct Counsel is working with an AmLaw 100 firm known for advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. As a recognized market leader across major financial and business centers, the firm offers unmatched expertise and resources to support your growth from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.

Qualifications:

  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in executive compensation and employee benefits law.

  • Significant experience advising companies on compensation disclosure issues.

  • Deep familiarity with transactional executive compensation and benefits matters, including the tax, securities, and other relevant legal aspects.

  • Strong academic credentials and excellent communication, analytical, and writing skills.

  • Admission to the jurisdiction where you are applying (or eligibility to waive in) is preferred.

Compensation:
This position is paid according to the Cravath scale.