How Much Does a Retirement Plan Administrator Make? (2025)
Retirement plan administrators play a critical role in managing a company's pension and retirement programs. As of October 1, 2025, the average annual salary for retirement plan administrators is $62,300, or approximately $30 per hour, according to Salary.com.
This salary guide explores the role of a retirement plan administrator, including job responsibilities, earnings, and factors that influence income, such as experience, location, and specialized skills.
What does a Retirement Plan Administrator do?
A retirement plan administrator oversees the daily operations of a company's retirement program. Their role includes ensuring compliance with IRS regulations, managing investments, monitoring the financial performance of 401(k) and pension plans, and ensuring that employees and beneficiaries receive accurate and timely benefits. While additional duties may arise, the primary responsibility is the proper management and allocation of the plan's funds.
Responsibilities include:
- Registering employees for their designated pension plans
- Determining the benefits owed to each participant
- Processing scheduled payments to beneficiaries
- Maintaining accurate plan records and providing participants with timely information
- Disbursing pension benefits to former spouses according to legal requirements
- Responding to inquiries and concerns from plan participants
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most positions require a bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or a related field. Professional certifications are also important, as they demonstrate expertise and credibility, and many employers prefer candidates who have them.
What is Retirement Plan Administrator Salary Overview?
As mentioned above, the average annual salary for retirement plan administrators is $62,300 per year or $30 per hour as of October 1, 2025. Their average salary ranges from $50,073 to $78,921, with the majority earning between $55,900 and $71,000. The average salary per month is $5,192.
For the hourly rate, retirement plan administrators earn around $30, with hourly salaries ranging from $27 to $34. Weekly earnings average roughly $1,198, with a range of $1,075 to $1,365 per week.
2025 Retirement Plan Administrator Salary: $62,300 ($30 per hour)
Meanwhile, the core median salary for retirement plan administrators is $98,774 per year. This includes salary and bonuses and varies depending on the percentile.
The average total salary for retirement plan administrators, including bonuses, is $98,774, according to our report. The total compensation package for the job title includes benefits like healthcare ($6,056), time off ($8,714), and Social Security ($5,416), which make up 20.4% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $62,300 | 63.10% |
| Bonus | $8,500 | 8.60% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $5,416 | 5.50% |
| 401K/403B | $3,328 | 3.40% |
| Disability | $566 | 0.60% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 6.10% |
| Pension | $3,894 | 3.90% |
| Time Off | $8,714 | 8.80% |
| Total Compensation | $98,774 | 100% |
What Can Affect the Salary of Retirement Plan Administrator?
The retirement plan administrator's salary significantly varies based on factors such as experience level, geographic location, and skills. Here's a breakdown of these key factors:
By Experience Level
According to Salary.com, a retirement plan administrator with less than one year of experience earns an average salary of $60,199 annually. On the other hand, professionals with 8 or more years of experience earn an average of $65,957 annually.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Retirement Plan Administrator | $60,199 |
| Intermediate Level Retirement Plan Administrator | $60,390 |
| Senior Level Retirement Plan Administrator | $62,300 |
| Specialist Level Retirement Plan Administrator | $64,912 |
| Expert Level Retirement Plan Administrator | $65,957 |
By Geographic Location
Aside from experience level, the salary of retirement plan administrators in the United States also varies by location, influenced by factors such as cost of living, local economy, and industry presence.
For example, as shown in the table below, a metropolitan area like San Jose has the highest average salary for a retirement plan administrator at $78,600 per year. Meanwhile, Passaic and Bergenfield report lower median salaries of $71,200 and $71,100, respectively.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $70,700 | $78,600 | $86,400 |
| San Francisco, California | $69,500 | $77,800 | $85,700 |
| Oakland, California | $68,000 | $76,100 | $84,000 |
| New York, New York | $64,900 | $72,200 | $79,500 |
| Queens Village, New York | $64,100 | $71,800 | $79,000 |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $63,200 | $71,300 | $78,700 |
| Passaic, New Jersey | $63,100 | $71,200 | $78,500 |
| Bergenfield, New Jersey | $63,000 | $71,100 | $78,400 |
By Skills
As retirement plan administrators gain higher or in-demand skills, their earning potential also increases accordingly. Data from Salary.com's Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that those professionals with life insurance skills see a salary increase of +11.03%, while those with billing skills see an increase of +10.68%. Notably, the demand for both skills is 10.00%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance | 10.00% | +11.03% |
| Billing | 10.00% | +10.68% |
| Insurance Products | 10.00% | +9.36% |
| Insurance Legal and Regulatory Environment | 10.80% | +9.09% |
| Financial Planning Instruments | 10.20% | +9.09% |
| Insurance Plan Design | 10.00% | +9.09% |
How to Become a Retirement Plan Administrator
Starting a career as a retirement plan administrator requires a structured approach involving education, certifications, practical experience, and continuous development. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you enter this specialized field:
- Complete Your Education: To start your career, most employers require a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or human resources. Some advanced or leadership roles may prefer candidates with a master's degree, but this is uncommon for entry-level positions.
- Earn Certifications: In addition to your degree, you may need to obtain one or more professional certifications, such as the Accredited Pension Administrator (APA) or Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA). These credentials strengthen your credibility and demonstrate expertise in retirement plan regulations, compliance, and administration.
- Gain Practical Experience: Entry-level positions in accounting, payroll, financial planning, or benefits coordination provide valuable exposure to retirement plan administration, such as regulatory compliance, reporting, data management, and client relations.
- Develop Essential Skills: According to our data, retirement plan administrators should learn skills like insurance legal and regulatory environment, financial planning instruments, and life insurance to be employed with higher salaries. The demand for these skills is 10.80%, 10.20%, and 10.00%, respectively. Skills such as billing, insurance products, and insurance plan design are also highly valued.
- Advance Your Career: With experience and certification, professionals can advance to senior positions such as benefits manager, retirement services director, or plan consultant. Continuing education, participation in professional associations, and keeping updated with evolving tax and employment laws will support your long-term growth and credibility in the field.
What are the FAQs about Retirement Plan Administrator?
Here are frequently asked questions about retirement plan administrator salary:
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities and required certifications for an entry-level Retirement Plan Administrator?
The typical day-to-day responsibilities for an entry-level retirement plan administrator include maintaining plan records, ensuring regulatory compliance, preparing reports, assisting with eligibility and enrollment, communicating with participants about plan details, and supporting audit or review processes. Certifications are not always required for entry-level roles, but earning credentials such as the Certified Retirement Plan Professional (CRPP), Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), or Certificate in Pensions Administration can help demonstrate expertise and advance your career.
What is a retirement plan specialist job description?
A retirement plan specialist job description includes:
- Assisting individuals and organizations with designing, implementing, and managing retirement plans such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and pension plans
- Advising clients on plan options and investment strategies
- Ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations
- Supporting employers and participants with financial planning decisions
- Educating clients about retirement strategies and plan benefits
How to become a 401K administrator?
To become a 401(k) administrator, start by earning a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, then gain experience working with retirement plans. Obtaining industry-recognized certifications like the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), Certified Retirement Plan Professional (CRPP), or similar credentials can increase your employment and advancement opportunities in this field.
