Compensation Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Compensation Specialist jobs in Virginia are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in federal contracting, defense, technology services, and healthcare, and openings at every level from entry analyst through senior manager. The busiest markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Inova Health System maintain large HR and total rewards teams. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia right now are executive compensation, federal pay administration, and equity and incentive program management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Gatehouse Administration Center
Summary
Performs the full range of professional duties required to administer and oversee the workers' compensation program, including the performance of complex and/or sensitive claims activities; provides guidance on claims administration, medical case management, and return-to-work coordination; monitors legislative compliance and third-party administrator performance; recommends and implements changes in program practices, workflows, policies, and procedures; audits claims and analyzes program data to support regulatory filings and fiscal performance; participates in procurement and contract administration; collaborates with internal and external partners to resolve complex claims issues; provides guidance and professional development to staff; may manage large-scale, long-term projects.
Qualifications
Required
- Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, human resources or related fields.
- Four (4) years of experience in claims administration, benefits administration, human resources, financial services, or related experience.
- Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
- Knowledge of the theory, procedures, and practices of claims administration.
- Knowledge of federal and state employment laws related to workers compensation, disability management, and leave programs (e.g., FMLA, ADA, and OSHA).
- Proficiency in the use of technology and data compilation, analysis, and reporting.
- Ability to provide subject matter expert advice on complex issues.
- Ability to lead and facilitate discussions to resolve conflicts.
- Ability to interpret, assess, and recommend modifications to procedures, regulations, and legislation.
- Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate financial and administrative data to develop and generate reports for program performance, mandated filing requirements, and/or fiscal decision-making.
- Ability to review, analyze, and evaluate the contractual specifications of bids and proposals.
- Ability to establish and maintain successful collaborative working relationships with diverse personnel and outside vendors to address needs and ensure that programs meet goals.
- Ability to exercise sound judgement, discretion, and professionalism.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Preferred
- Any insurance, risk management; benefits or human resources certifications such as:
- Associate in Claims (AIC)
- Certified Workers' Compensation Professional (CWCP)
- Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
- Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
- SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP
- PHR or SPHR
- Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
- Workers' Compensation Claims Professional (WCCP) or similar industry certifications
- Knowledge of project management and continuous process improvement methodologies.
- Ability to build productive relationships with internal leadership, legal counsel, medical providers, TPAs, and external agencies.
- Knowledge of benefits administration and HR policies.
- Knowledge of procurement, contact administration, and service level agreements (SLAs).
- Knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, claims analytics, and cost containment strategies.
Major Duties/Essential Functions
- Performs activities related to the administration and management of the division-wide workers' compensation program.
- Responsible for workers' compensation claims administration, including medical case management, return-to-work coordination, and disability management activities.
- Documents and resolve complex and/or sensitive workers' compensation issues in collaboration with employees, internal staff, the third-party administrator (TPA), and other external partners.
- Ensures compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and School Board policies related to workers' compensation.
- Researches industry best practices and trends related to workers' compensation, claims management, cost containment, and return-to-work programs.
- Works as a team member and/or leader in developing recommendations on programming, workflows, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Documents, implements, and monitors changes to workers' compensation programs and business processes.
- Prepares written and oral reports, analyses, dashboards, and presentations related to claims activity, program performance, and financial results.
- Creates and tracks workers' compensation program and vendor performance metrics.
- Audits claims and provides analysis of claims costs, reserves, and program expenditures; researches anomalies and identifies cost-saving and risk mitigation opportunities.
- Provides recommendations and advice related to workers' compensation budget development, forecasting, and reserve management.
- Participates in contracting and procurement processes, including the development and review of specifications, service requirements, and solicitation documents.
- Collaborates with and monitors the contractual compliance, performance, and implementation efforts of the TPA and other third-party vendors.
- Provides technical guidance and consultation to school personnel, central office staff, and leadership regarding workers' compensation processes, requirements, and responsibilities.
- Collaborates with risk management, human resources, payroll, legal counsel, school administrators, and external partners to support claims resolution, return-to-work, and disability management activities.
- Leads and/or participates in division-wide initiatives and special projects related to workers' compensation, risk management, and compliance.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Salary Range
$92,314 - $160,230
Salary Grade
[Salary Information]
Unified Scale-Schedule B/Grade 006-FEU-OP
Office
Comptroller
Contract Length
260-Day Contract
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Percent Full-Time
Full Time
Job Type
Finance/Accounting
Open
Until
Filled
Yes
Re-Adv.
Position
No
Workers' Compensation Specialist | Fairfax County Public Schools
See All 7 Compensation Specialist Jobs in Virginia
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Find Compensation Specialist JobsCompensation Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Compensation Specialist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in compensation specialist jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance, or a related field
- CCP certification from WorldatWork or equivalent compensation credential preferred
- Proficiency in HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP, or Oracle HCM
- Experience with federal pay scales, SCA compliance, or government contractor compensation structures
- Strong analytical skills using Excel, SQL, or compensation benchmarking software
- Familiarity with Virginia wage payment laws and multi-state compensation compliance requirements
Compensation Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a compensation specialist in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers require a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or finance as the foundation for this role. Virginia does not issue a state license for compensation specialists, but the Certified Compensation Professional credential from WorldatWork is the most recognized benchmark hiring managers reference. Many candidates enter through HR generalist or payroll analyst roles, then move into compensation as they build experience with job evaluation, survey participation, and pay structure design.
How much do compensation specialists make in Virginia?
Compensation specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $81,190 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,410 for the lowest 10% to over $136,030 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire compensation specialists in Virginia?
Employers hiring compensation specialists in Virginia right now include McKesson, Four, and CorVel Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's deep concentration of federal contractors and large health systems means demand for specialists who understand government pay requirements and benefits benchmarking runs particularly high.
Which Virginia cities have the most compensation specialist jobs?
Richmond, Herndon, and Fairfax County have the highest concentration of compensation specialist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia drives the largest share of postings because of its dense cluster of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms headquartered there, while Richmond and Hampton Roads contribute steadily through corporate headquarters, health systems, and state government employers.
Are there remote compensation specialist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most HR specializations, since compensation work is largely analytical and desk-based. About 67% of compensation specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how well the role adapts to distributed HR teams. Pay analysis, survey submission, and job architecture work are the tasks most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a compensation specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an HR coordinator or payroll analyst role at a large Virginia employer, which provides exposure to pay structures and compliance work that hiring managers want to see. Federal contractors like Leidos and SAIC, as well as Inova and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health affiliates, regularly hire HR associates who rotate through compensation functions. Pursuing the WorldatWork CCP coursework while in an entry HR role signals commitment and accelerates promotion into a dedicated compensation position.
Where can I find and apply to compensation specialist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to compensation specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly through each listing.
See All 7 Compensation Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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