Benefits Specialist Jobs in Washington
Benefits Specialist jobs in Washington are in strong demand, with hiring concentrated in healthcare systems, technology companies, and large public-sector employers, and openings at every level from entry-level benefits coordinator through senior total rewards manager. Seattle, Bellevue, and Olympia are the primary hiring metros, anchored by established employers like Amazon, Boeing, and Providence Health. The most sought-after specialties in Washington are retirement plan administration, health and welfare benefits, and leave management under Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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PAYROLL & BENEFITS SPECIALIST
Salary Range: $71,257 – $100,715 DOE
Location: Hybrid remote in Snoqualmie, WA
Hours: Full-time; 40 hours/week, M-F
Benefits:
Medical (80% company paid)
HSA with Employer Contribution:
Dental/Vision
Company paid Life/AD&D/LTD, EAP, Wellness
401(k) and 401(k) Matching
Vacation/Sick Leave
11 Paid Holidays, plus bonus winter holiday week of company PTO
SCOPE
The Encompass Payroll & Benefits Specialist owns the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of Encompass payroll and supports related benefits processes within the HRIS/payroll system.
Primary responsibilities include payroll preparation, review, processing, corrections, reporting, employee payroll records, benefit deduction updates, benefit file feeds, benefit invoice reconciliation, and employee payroll/benefits questions.
Reporting relationship: Director of Finance, dotted line to Human Resources.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Payroll Administration
Own and administer the full monthly payroll process, including preparation, review, processing, corrections, deadlines, and final submission.
Review payroll data for accuracy, including earnings, deductions, pay changes, retroactive adjustments, grade-step updates, and other payroll actions.
Maintain accurate payroll records, documentation, reports, and employee payroll data.
Coordinate with Human Resources and Finance on wage information, labor allocation validation, GL reconciliation support, payroll tax coordination, and audit support.
Benefits Administration
Administer benefit and retirement plan activity within applicable systems, including new hire enrollments, terminations, qualifying life events, file feeds, and other benefit changes.
Maintain benefit deductions and records in the HRIS/payroll system.
Reconcile benefit invoices, research discrepancies, and coordinate corrections with Human Resources, Finance, carriers, brokers, and vendors as needed.
Support open enrollment, benefits reporting, employee benefit questions, and Form 5500-related reporting as assigned.
Records, Compliance, and Employee Support
Maintain accurate employee payroll and benefits records in HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems.
Support system workflows, data entry, audits, reporting, process documentation, and internal controls.
Serve as a primary Paycom resource for employees by providing clear system guidance, supporting user training, documenting common issues and expectations, and following up on payroll or benefits questions with professionalism, accuracy, and care.
QUALIFICATIONS
Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in payroll, benefits administration, accounting support, or related administrative functions.
Demonstrated experience processing payroll, supporting benefits administration, maintaining employee benefit and payroll records, and reconciling data with a high degree of accuracy.
Experience with HRIS, payroll, benefits, or employee record systems; Paycom or similar platform preferred.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
Associate’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Strong knowledge of payroll administration, benefits administration, HRIS/payroll systems, wage and hour requirements, and payroll-related compliance.
Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, problem-solving skills, reconciliation skills, confidentiality, and customer service orientation.
Ability to manage recurring deadlines, time-sensitive processes, multiple priorities, employee questions, vendor coordination, and cross-department workflows with accuracy and professionalism; strong interpersonal, communication, documentation, and de-escalation skills, including the ability to maintain professional and competent relationships when addressing sensitive or upsetting payroll-related concerns.
PREFERRED
Experience supporting payroll and benefits for an organization with approximately 100 or more employees.
Experience in a nonprofit, healthcare, early learning, education, therapy, or social service environment.
Experience with benefit reconciliation, file feeds, open enrollment, retirement plan administration, payroll GL reconciliation, labor allocation support, payroll audit support, or Form 5500-related reporting.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is conducted primarily in an office environment, with frequent periods of sitting, computer use, data entry, phone or video communication, and interaction with employees, supervisors, vendors, and organizational partners.
The information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees in this job.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Encompass is a private nonprofit serving the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah communities for over 60 years. Our mission is to partner with families to build healthy foundations for children. We believe what happens early in life matters. We offer high quality, leading edge early childhood educational and therapeutic services to all children in our communities.
Encompass is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on gender, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or the presence of a non job related medical condition or handicap.
See All 21 Benefits Specialist Jobs in Washington
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Find Benefits Specialist JobsBenefits Specialist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Benefits Specialist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in benefits specialist jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field required
- Two or more years of benefits administration experience in a multi-state environment preferred
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, UKG, or SAP SuccessFactors strongly preferred
- Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA compliance, and Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave regulations
- CEBS, PHR, or SHRM-CP certification recognized as a differentiator in competitive Washington applicant pools
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for employee education and open enrollment facilitation
Benefits Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a benefits specialist in Washington?
A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field is the standard entry point for benefits specialist roles in Washington. There is no state-issued license required, but Washington employers increasingly expect familiarity with Washington-specific programs, including the state-administered Paid Family and Medical Leave system managed by the Employment Security Department. Earning a CEBS or SHRM-CP credential strengthens your candidacy and is commonly listed in Washington job postings.
How much do benefits specialists make in Washington?
Benefits specialists in Washington earn a median of about $86,630 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,750 for the lowest 10% to over $135,810 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire benefits specialists in Washington?
Employers hiring benefits specialists in Washington right now include State of Washington, AKIN, and PACCAR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Washington's concentration of large technology headquarters, regional healthcare networks, and major public-sector employers makes it one of the more active states for ongoing benefits roles year-round.
Which Washington cities have the most benefits specialist jobs?
Washington State, Seattle, and Tacoma have the most benefits specialist openings in Washington. Seattle and Bellevue account for the majority of postings due to the density of corporate headquarters and large healthcare systems in the greater Puget Sound region, while Olympia's volume is driven by state government agencies and adjacent public institutions that maintain dedicated HR and benefits teams.
Are there remote benefits specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, and more than many HR roles, because benefits administration is largely desk-based and systems-driven. About 63% of benefits specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the field's strong fit for distributed work. Open enrollment support, vendor management, and leave administration are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a benefits specialist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an HR coordinator or HR generalist role at a mid-size Washington employer, where benefits administration is one component of a broader HR function. Large Washington employers like Providence Health and Boeing run structured HR rotational or associate programs that accept recent graduates. A SHRM-CP credential or completed coursework in Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave compliance signals employer-ready knowledge and gives candidates without direct benefits experience a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and preferences, and apply directly to each position.
See All 21 Benefits Specialist Jobs in Washington
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