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Compensation Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Combined Insurance, is seeking a Senior Compensation and Contracts Associate to join our fast-paced, high energy, growing company. We are proud of our tradition of success in the insurance industry ...

C. - Workers' Compensation Defense Associate Attorney Chicago-based | Hybrid/Remote Flexibility Available BCM Law, P.C. is seeking experienced Workers' Compensation Defense attorney candidates to ...

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Compensation Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$47.9K

$61.4K

$72.6K

How much do compensation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation associate in Chicago, IL is $61,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,100.00 and $66,400.00 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 jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

A Compensation Associate typically does not earn $4,000 weekly without specialized experience or certifications. High-paying roles that can reach this level without a degree often include sales positions, certain real estate or insurance agents, and skilled trades like plumbing or electrical work, which rely more on experience and licensing than formal education. These roles may require strong skills, certifications, or a proven track record to achieve such earnings.

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 jobs make $3,000 a day?

High-level executive roles such as CEOs, investment bankers, and specialized surgeons can earn $3,000 or more per day, often due to large salaries, bonuses, or billable hours. Certain freelance consultants, legal professionals, and top-tier sales executives may also reach this level with extensive experience and expertise.

What is Chick-fil-A's highest paying job?

At Chick-fil-A, the highest paying roles are typically management positions such as Restaurant Director or Area Coach, which can offer salaries exceeding $60,000 annually. These roles require leadership skills, experience in restaurant operations, and often involve overseeing multiple locations or teams.

What is a compensation associate?

A compensation associate is a professional responsible for administering and analyzing employee compensation programs, including salary structures, bonuses, and benefits. They often use HRIS systems and compensation data to ensure pay equity and compliance with company policies and labor laws.

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, and why are they important?

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 Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Compensation jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Compensation Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Compensation Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Compensation Associate jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Compensation Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Compensation Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,353 per year, or $29.5 per hour.
Associate Analyst - Compensation (Hybrid)

Associate Analyst - Compensation (Hybrid)

United Airlines, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


United Airlines rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 337 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 26 rated airlines


Job description

Description
Minimum qualifications:
  • Strong analytical thinking skills with ability to interpret compensation data, identify trends, and draw meaningful insights
  • Proficiency in knowledge management
  • Demonstrated project management abilities to coordinate compensation initiatives, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities
  • Proactive thinking to anticipate compensation issues, identify process improvements, and recommend solutions
  • Excellent presentation skills with ability to communicate compensation data and recommendations clearly to stakeholders
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Internship or coursework in Compensation, HR, or Data Analytics
  • Understanding of Compensation principles
  • Job Architecture/Job Catalog management experience
  • Professional compensation certification
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem solving. Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies of responsible AI use, data privacy, and security

Qualifications
About the job:
The Associate Analyst - Compensation uses foundational knowledge of Total Rewards principles and practices to complete routine assignments. This role follows established procedures to support compensation and benefits programs, while receiving guidance from senior team members. The analyst also develops familiarity with United's Total Rewards processes and assists with implementing established solutions.
Core accountabilities / key responsibilities:
  • Provides direct support to team and ensures accurate and timely administration of Total Rewards programs.
  • References policies to maintain accurate, relevant and timely employee data through HR systems, conducts data cleansing and validation.
  • Partner on non-routine transactions based on program policies/procedures
  • Administrative support for day-to-day operations of Total Rewards programs.
  • Run weekly andmonthly segmentreporting for team touse.
  • Support the development of communications by announcing compensation or benefit programs, timelines, and changes.
  • Exhibits strong learning agility and self-motivation, proactively identifying next steps and independently driving work forward while seeking guidance when appropriate.
  • Monitor team shared inbox by investigating and responding to routine employee inquiries.

What United Airlines employees say

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United Airlines logo

About United Airlines

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

United Airlines is embarking on an exciting journey to become the best airline in aviation history. Our purpose, "Connecting People, Uniting the World," extends beyond transportation, emphasizing our commitment to uplift and create opportunities in the places we serve. With a global presence and diverse workforce, we value inclusivity and are dedicated to hiring tens of thousands of individuals across various roles. Our comprehensive benefits package, including perks like space available travel, parental leave, and 401k, aims to support your well-being and growth.

Industry

Aviation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1926

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