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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 Sep 8, 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 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 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 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.

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Employee Benefits Attorney jobs near you
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 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,214 per year, or $70.3 per hour.

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

Milwaukee, WI • On-site

$240K - $350K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney – Chicago, Illinois; Madison or Milwaukee, Wisconsin; or Nashville, Tennessee

Direct Counsel is seeking an Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Associate Attorney to join a highly respected Am Law firm in its Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, or Nashville office.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 2–5 years of experience advising clients on employee benefits, executive compensation, and regulatory compliance matters. The successful candidate will support a broad range of advisory, compliance, and transactional matters involving employee benefit and executive compensation arrangements while working closely with partners and clients across diverse industries.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Advise clients on employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

  • Interpret and apply ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related regulatory guidance.

  • Counsel clients on qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

  • Advise on health and welfare plan design, administration, and compliance obligations.

  • Assist clients with ongoing regulatory and compliance matters.

  • Provide employee benefits and executive compensation support for corporate transactions.

  • Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, analyses, and other client-facing work product.

  • Collaborate with attorneys across practice groups to deliver comprehensive client solutions.

Qualifications:

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

  • Active membership and good standing with the Bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

  • Ability to obtain timely admission to the Bar of the state where the hiring office is located as a condition of employment.

  • 2–5 years of experience in employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

  • Experience advising clients on ERISA, employee benefits compliance, and related regulatory issues.

  • Familiarity with qualified and nonqualified retirement plans and health and welfare plans.

  • Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills.

  • Excellent organizational and project management abilities.

  • Ability to manage multiple matters in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

  • Outstanding academic credentials.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a nationally recognized Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice that provides sophisticated regulatory, compliance, advisory, and transactional counsel to clients across a wide range of industries. Attorneys in this group enjoy close partner interaction, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to work on complex and impactful matters in a collaborative environment.

Compensation: $240,000 – $350,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability and life insurance, adoption assistance, and dependent care support.