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Employee Benefits Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Employee Benefits Attorney information

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$67.5K

$146.2K

$200K

How much do employee benefits attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for employee benefits attorney in the United States is $146,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $180,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an employee benefits attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Employee Benefits Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, active bar admission, and deep knowledge of ERISA, tax law, and employee benefits regulations. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis) and specialized compliance software is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting complex laws and advising clients. Mastery of these skills ensures accurate legal counsel, minimizes risk, and helps organizations maintain compliance with intricate benefits regulations.

What is the difference between Employee Benefits Attorney vs Employee Benefits Specialist?

AspectEmployee Benefits Attorney

Employee Benefits Attorneys focus on legal compliance, drafting benefit plans, and advising employers on ERISA and tax laws. They typically hold law degrees and bar admissions, working in law firms or corporate legal departments. Employee Benefits Specialists, on the other hand, implement and manage employee benefit programs, often with backgrounds in HR or benefits administration, working directly within companies or benefits providers. While both roles involve employee benefits, attorneys primarily handle legal aspects, whereas specialists focus on program administration and employee communication.

What are some typical challenges an employee benefits attorney faces when advising clients on compliance matters?

Employee Benefits Attorneys often encounter challenges such as keeping up with frequently changing regulations under laws like ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, and IRS guidelines. They must carefully interpret complex legal requirements to help clients avoid costly compliance errors. Additionally, they frequently coordinate with HR professionals, accountants, and plan administrators to ensure all aspects of employee benefit plans are properly documented and operated. Navigating these complexities requires strong communication skills and attention to detail, as clients rely on their attorney to guide them through both routine compliance and unexpected legal issues.

What is an employee benefits attorney?

An employee benefits attorney counsels employers on different benefit plan options and ensures compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a federal law also known as ERISA. As a lawyer in this type of law practice, responsibilities involve assisting HR with the development, implementation, and compliance of all pension, health, and disability plans. They also advise clients on other labor laws as well as executive benefits, addressing concerns surrounding equity-based compensation, bonuses, and supplemental retirement. An employee benefits attorney typically works for a law firm or in-house.

What cities are hiring for Employee Benefits Attorney jobs?

Cities with the most Employee Benefits Attorney job openings:

What states have the most Employee Benefits Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for Employee Benefits Attorney jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Employee Benefits Attorney jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Employee Benefits Attorney jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Employee Benefits Attorney jobs?

For Employee Benefits Attorney jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Employee Benefits Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,214 per year, or $70.3 per hour.

Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Associate Attorney

Aligned Talent Acquisition

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$260K - $390K/yr

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

New York City | Hybrid

Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Associate AttorneyAmLaw 100 OpportunityCompensation

$260,000 – $390,000+

A nationally recognized AmLaw 100 firm is seeking an Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Associate Attorney to join its New York office.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney interested in advising public and private companies, private equity sponsors, investment funds, boards of directors, and executive management teams on sophisticated executive compensation, employee benefits, and transactional matters.

Ideal Background

2–5 years of executive compensation and employee benefits experience gained at a sophisticated law firm

• Experience advising public companies, private companies, private equity sponsors, investment funds, and executive leadership teams

• Experience drafting and negotiating employment agreements, equity incentive plans, stock option agreements, restricted stock and RSU awards, deferred compensation arrangements, severance agreements, retention agreements, and change-in-control agreements

• Experience advising clients on qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, ERISA compliance, employee benefit plans, executive compensation arrangements, and tax-related compensation issues

• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, financings, and other corporate transactions, including employee benefits and executive compensation due diligence and transaction structuring

• Experience advising on corporate governance, SEC disclosure requirements relating to executive compensation, and public company compensation matters is a plus

• Strong drafting, analytical, organizational, and communication skills

• Ability to independently manage sophisticated compensation and benefits matters while maintaining significant client interaction

• Excellent academic credentials

LL.M. in Taxation or Employee Benefits is a plus but not required

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school required

New York bar admission required or ability to become admitted

Why This Opportunity

Nationally recognized Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits practice

Sophisticated executive compensation, ERISA, and transactional support work

Opportunity to advise leading public companies, private equity sponsors, and executive leadership teams

Significant client interaction and early responsibility

Strong mentorship and professional development

Collaborative AmLaw 100 environment

Interested?

Aligned Talent Acquisition is currently working with firms seeking talented attorneys with this type of background.

Even if you're not actively looking or aren't sure this opportunity is the right fit, let's connect for a confidential conversation. Many attorneys find it helpful to understand what opportunities are available and how the current market compares before they begin considering a move.

I'm happy to provide additional information regarding compensation, billable expectations, partnership track, and how this opportunity compares to others currently on the market.

Confidential inquiries are always welcome.

Devney Ayers
Director of Legal Recruiting
Aligned Talent Acquisition

devney@alignedtalentacquisition.com
(216) 710-5174