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Compensation Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

The Compensation Program Manager partners with HR, Finance, and business leaders in the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise compensation programs, including ...

OVERVIEW We are seeking an Executive Compensation Analyst to support broad-based and executive compensation programs across the enterprise. This role offers an opportunity to build foundational ...

OVERVIEW We are seeking an Executive Compensation Analyst to support broad-based and executive compensation programs across the enterprise. This role offers an opportunity to build foundational ...

Compensation & Benefits Manager

Newport, RI · On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

We are looking for a Compensation & Benefits Manager to lead pay and benefits strategy for our client. This role will shape compensation frameworks for both hourly and office-based employees while ...

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Showing results 1-20

Compensation information

See Rhode Island salary details

$34.8K

$112.4K

$166K

How much do compensation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation in Rhode Island is $112,357.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a compensation specialist?

Compensation specialists are human resources professionals who design, implement, and manage an organization's pay structure and benefits programs. They analyze job roles, market data, and internal policies to ensure employees are fairly and competitively compensated. Their responsibilities often include conducting salary surveys, evaluating job descriptions, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and advising management on compensation strategies. Their work helps attract, motivate, and retain talent while maintaining internal equity and external competitiveness.

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

To thrive as a Compensation Specialist, you need a solid understanding of compensation structures, data analysis, and HR principles, usually backed by a degree in Human Resources, business, or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS systems, compensation benchmarking tools, and certifications like CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) are typically utilized in this role. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication enable you to interpret data and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for designing competitive pay structures that attract and retain talent while ensuring internal equity and compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in compensation roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in compensation roles often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapidly changing labor market trends, ensuring internal pay equity, and managing confidential data. Navigating complex regulatory requirements and balancing company budgets with employee expectations can also be demanding. Staying proactive by leveraging compensation benchmarking tools, participating in industry networks, and collaborating closely with HR and finance teams can help address these challenges and support informed decision-making.

What is the difference between Compensation vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectCompensationPayroll Specialist
Primary FocusDesigning and managing employee pay structures, benefits, and incentivesProcessing employee wages, tax deductions, and payroll transactions
Required CredentialsHR or compensation certifications, degree in HR or related fieldAccounting or payroll certifications, experience with payroll software
Work EnvironmentHR departments, compensation teams, benefits administrationPayroll departments, accounting teams, HR support roles
Industry UsageUsed across HR and compensation management functionsPrimarily in payroll processing and accounting departments

While both roles relate to employee pay, Compensation focuses on developing pay structures and benefits strategies, whereas Payroll Specialist handles the actual processing of wages and deductions. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and find suitable candidates.

What is a job in compensation?

A job in compensation involves designing, managing, and administering employee pay structures, benefits, and incentives to ensure fair and competitive remuneration. Professionals in this field analyze market data, develop salary policies, and may use tools like compensation management software. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of labor laws are essential for success in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in Rhode Island?

The most popular types of Compensation jobs in Rhode Island are:

What are popular job titles related to Compensation jobs in Rhode Island?

For Compensation jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Compensation jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Compensation jobs in Rhode Island are:

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Compensation jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Compensation job openings:

Infographic showing various Compensation job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, and 65% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $112,357 per year, or $54 per hour.

Compensation Program Manager

UNFI

Providence, RI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


UNFI rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 49 rated food wholesalers


Job description

**Remote**
Job Overview:
The Compensation Program Manager partners with HR, Finance, and business leaders in the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise compensation programs, including incentive compensation plans and annual merit planning. This role also manages compensation compliance, project management (PMO), communications and training.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the annual compensation planning cycles, including annual merit budget setting, cycle scheduling, stakeholder communications, manager and HR training, executive reporting, governance, approvals, audit controls, and overall program oversight.
  • Partner with Total Payroll Operations, Finance, IT, and HR teams in the setup, testing, administration, and continuous improvement of systems, workflows, and processes supporting monthly, quarterly, and annual compensation cycles.
  • Provide executive updates, analytics, and reporting related to merit planning outcomes, budget utilization, pay-for-performance results, and compensation program effectiveness.
  • Manage incentive compensation plans in partnership with Finance, Sales, and business leaders, to define plan metrics, measures, weightings, and governance.
  • Design, administer, and evaluate short-term incentive programs, including modeling, scenario analysis, and plan documentation, in partnership with the Sr. Compensation Analyst - Incentives.
  • Ensure that incentive compensation plans and results are effectively communicated to participants.
  • Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to monitor plan performance and payouts.
  • Ensure the accuracy of incentive plan eligibility, calculations, approvals, accruals, and payments through strong controls, audits, and administration processes.
  • Help drive continuous improvement of compensation plan design, administration, communications, and governance to help maximize plan effectiveness.
  • Develop and deliver compensation training and education tools to support a consistent understanding and application of compensation programs.
  • Ensure compensation compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including pay equity, minimum wage, minimum salary thresholds, pay transparency regulations, FLSA classification standards, Department of Labor requirements, and state/provincial reporting obligations.
  • Monitor compensation programs to ensure alignment with the company's compensation philosophy of pay-for-results, pay equity, and market competitiveness.
  • Serve as PMO lead for enterprise compensation projects, coordinating timelines, resources, governance, stakeholders, risks, dependencies, and implementation activities.
  • Maintain and enhance the enterprise compensation calendar to capture and track key dates related to compensation cycles, communications, training, and projects.
  • Help shape and implement improvements in compensation training, manager enablement, and communication strategies to support effective decision-making. Help ensure effective change management strategies for HR, managers, and business leaders specific to compensation.
  • Maintain compensation workflows, documentation, governance standards, and audit controls.
  • Support benchmarking, market pricing, salary structures, and job architecture.
  • Perform other duties as required.

Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field; CCP or PHR is a plus.

Experience:
  • 6-8 years of progressive compensation experience, with direct ownership of annual merit review cycles, incentive compensation design and administration, and compensation compliance programs.
  • Experience leading cross-functional projects and working with common HRIS systems and reporting tools (PeopleSoft, Workday, SAP or comparable HCM; PayScale/PayFactors or comparable survey/benchmarking tools)

Knowledge and Skills:
  • Advanced analytical skills: ability to interpret large datasets and build compensation models.
  • Deep knowledge of compensation regulations, pay equity analytics, FLSA classification standards, and market pricing methodologies.
  • Proficiency with Excel, HRIS, reporting dashboards, and compensation planning tools.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, presentation development (PowerPoint) and change management skills.
  • Strong project management skills; Understanding of best practice PM methodologies (Lean, Agile, Waterfall, etc.) a plus.
  • Ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously and work collaboratively across functions.
  • Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available. (Legal requirement to add in this language)

Work Environment:
Remote Role:
  • This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager

Travel (minor):
  • This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands:
Office Roles:
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
About UNFI: We are North America's premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI
UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Compensation:
UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits:
For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI's compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company's sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act .

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