ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Employee Benefits Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobtailor

Senior Counsel - Employee Benefits

Iowa, LA · On-site

$140 - $220/hr

... Employee Benefits division. * Prepare, review, and negotiate legal contracts, documents, and ... Research, counsel, and draft recommendations addressing unique regulatory challenges such as ...

Talent Search PRO

Employee Benefits Attorney

Rochester, NY · On-site

$139K - $192K/yr

We need someone with 4-10 years of substantive employee benefits experience at a law firm, with a ... Counsel clients on nonqualified deferred compensation (409A), executive compensation arrangements ...

W3Global Inc.

Employee Benefits Attorney

CT · On-site +1

$180K - $250K/yr

We are a mid-sized Connecticut law firm, seeks an experienced employee benefits attorney to join a ... Counseling plan sponsors, fiduciaries and other plan professionals on compliance requirements and ...

Talent Search PRO

Employee Benefits Attorney

Albany, NY · On-site

$192/hr

We need someone with 4-10 years of substantive employee benefits experience at a law firm, with a ... Counsel clients on nonqualified deferred compensation (409A), executive compensation arrangements ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEmployee Benefits Counsel Jobs

Employee Benefits Counsel information

See salary details

$79.5K

$157.4K

$212.5K

How much do employee benefits counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for employee benefits counsel in the United States is $157,356.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,000.00 and $183,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an employee benefits counsel?

Employee Benefits Counsel are specialized attorneys who provide legal advice and guidance on employer-sponsored benefit plans, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee perks. They help organizations comply with federal and state regulations, like ERISA and the Affordable Care Act, and assist in designing and administering benefits programs. Their expertise ensures that companies manage benefits legally and efficiently, while also minimizing risk and addressing employee concerns related to benefits.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an employee benefits counsel?

To thrive as an Employee Benefits Counsel, a deep understanding of ERISA, tax law, and employee benefits regulations is essential, typically supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and bar admission. Familiarity with legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and experience drafting plan documents or compliance filings, are crucial technical aspects of the role. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to both clients and colleagues distinguish top performers. These competencies ensure accurate guidance, minimize legal risks, and help organizations maintain compliance with evolving benefits laws.

What are the typical challenges faced by an employee benefits counsel when navigating regulatory changes?

Employee Benefits Counsel often encounter challenges in keeping up with frequently changing federal and state regulations, such as those related to ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, and IRS guidelines. Interpreting these evolving rules and ensuring benefits plans remain compliant requires ongoing education and close collaboration with HR, legal, and finance teams. Additionally, Counsel must effectively communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders to facilitate informed decision-making and mitigate risk.

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

AspectEmployee Benefits CounselEmployee Benefits Specialist
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar AdmissionBachelor's degree, HR or benefits certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporate legal departments, consulting firmsHR departments, benefits administration teams, insurance companies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal advisory roles in corporations, law firms, consultingHR and benefits administration in various industries
Common Search & Comparison IntentLegal expertise in benefits law, compliance, and negotiationsBenefits program management, employee communication, and administration

While both roles focus on employee benefits, Employee Benefits Counsel primarily provides legal advice on benefits compliance and negotiations, requiring legal credentials. In contrast, Employee Benefits Specialists handle benefits administration and employee communication, often with HR or benefits certifications. The roles differ in their focus—legal versus administrative—yet both are essential in managing employee benefits programs effectively.

More about Employee Benefits Counsel jobs

What cities are hiring for Employee Benefits Counsel jobs?

Cities with the most Employee Benefits Counsel job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Employee Benefits Counsel jobs?

The top employers for Employee Benefits Counsel jobs are:

What states have the most Employee Benefits Counsel jobs?

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

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

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

Employee Benefits Counsel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Employee Benefits Counsel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,356 per year, or $75.7 per hour.

Employee Benefits Counsel/Partner

Chicago, IL • On-site

McCormack Schreiber Legal Search
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about McCormack Schreiber Legal Searchexternal

$300K - $400K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About the Position:

Our client, a sophisticated Midwest-based law firm, is actively seeking an executive compensation attorney to join its thriving Chicago office as a counsel-level or partner. The firm handles the full lifecycle of retirement and health and welfare programs from structuring through ongoing administration.


Highlights:

· Firm believes strongly in work-life balance

· Top-notch professional development support

· Fantastic opportunity for hands-on experience, allowing attorneys to truly grow and excel


Responsibilities:

· Advise clients on ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation matters, including qualified retirement plans (401(k), 403(b)), nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and health and welfare plans

· Play a key role in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, advising on the employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA aspects of deals from due diligence through closing and post-closing integration

· Counsel employers on regulatory compliance across ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and the Internal Revenue Code

· Bring an in-house perspective to client counseling, drawing on prior experience with a major Taft-Hartley pension plan, a benefits/HR consulting firm, and the U.S. Treasury's Office of Benefits Tax Counsel


Required Qualifications:

· Significant experience handling employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA law

· Experience advising on qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation, and health and welfare plan design and compliance

· Familiarity with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and Internal Revenue Code requirements as applied to benefit plans

· Experience handling benefits and compensation issues in M&A transactions

· Strong client-facing and business development skills


Location:

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)


Compensation:

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $300,000 - $400,000.


About Us:

McCormack Schreiber Legal Search is Chicago's leading legal search firm. We leverage more than 30 years of experience in the Chicago legal market to assist attorneys seeking new opportunities and employers searching for top legal talent.

Apply