The Executive Compensation Analyst

Answer 1

Executive Compensation Analyst is a job title you will find within the overall career path of compensation analysts. A compensation analyst is someone who evaluates jobs for an employer based on the duties and level of responsibility, then researches to determine a competitive compensation and benefits package for that position.

Since job responsibilities and job titles do not always line up exactly from one company to the next, it is essential that the analyst to do thorough research based on all relevant factors. This is important to ensure that the company can attract talented candidates who will be interested in committing to the job for the long-term.

The executive compensation analyst will find herself researching and determining fair compensation and benefit packages for executive and other very high-level positions within the company. This can be far more challenging than general compensation analysis in that the same position and title may be compensated very differently in different industries.

To become an executive compensation analyst, you will most likely need some prior experience in the compensation analysis field. A good candidate for this position would be extremely detail-oriented and an excellent researcher who is highly organized. A solid understanding of different industries in both broad categorizations and fine distinctions is also necessary to ensure an accurate analysis.

Along with these qualities, an executive compensation analyst will need to have familiarity with employment law, specifically related to human resources matters such as affirmative action, fair labor standards and salary. Of course, strong analytical skills are required, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Most compensation analyst positions require a candidate to have a bachelors degree, though the specific major is usually not important. However, for an executive compensation analyst, it is not uncommon for an employer to prefer a candidate with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree.

The average salary in the United States for a compensation analyst is about $72,000, with executive compensation analysts averaging $82,000. Someone just starting out in this field can expect to find salaries starting at around $46,000.