Compensation Administrator

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Compensation Administrator to lead pay equity initiatives and develop compensation structures for Civil Service Exempt and Washington General Service positions. You will analyze market data, oversee salary surveys, and guide leadership on compensation decisions to ensure internal equity and fiscal responsibility.

The role involves collaboration with agency HR partners, policy alignment, and ongoing program improvements to attract and retain talent for public

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of compensation principles and practices.
• Experience applying laws and policies governing compensation and wage administration, including FLSA.
• Ability to analyze complex compensation data and market information.

Responsibilities

• Managing our internal job evaluation program, compensation structure, philosophy and strategies, ensuring compliance with pertinent laws and rules.
• Consulting with HRBPs in managing and developing job descriptions reflecting responsibilities and structure.
• Conducting market research and providing salary recommendations for exempt positions.
• Maintaining compensation spreadsheets, reports, and records for market matches.
• Using market and survey data to improve recruitment, promotions, evaluations and training.
• Providing guidance on salary offers and HR issues within legal boundaries.

Skills

Compensation principles

Data analysis

Excel

Market pricing

Internal equity

Education

CCP certification

SHRM-CP

PHR

HRMS experience

Tools

Washington State HRMS

Job description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $100,000 - $125,000 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.

Hybrid

Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Why work for OFM

Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian. If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity

As our Compensation Administrator, you’ll have the opportunity to shape compensation strategies that influence how we attract, reward, and retain talent across the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Governor’s Office, and affiliated agencies. You’ll lead the development and ongoing evolution of compensation structures, policies, and practices for Civil Service Exempt and Washington General Service positions, with a focus on pay equity, market competitiveness, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

You’ll turn complex data and market research into actionable recommendations, lead initiatives such as pay equity reviews and salary surveys, and identify opportunities to strengthen compensation processes and programs. Working closely with agency leadership and human resources professionals, you’ll provide trusted guidance on complex compensation and classification issues while ensuring practices align with applicable laws, policies, and organizational goals.

If you’re passionate about advancing pay equity and solving complex challenges, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Join us in building fair, competitive, and sustainable compensation programs that support employees and strengthen the organizations they serve.

What you’ll work on

• Managing our internal job evaluation program, compensation structure, philosophy and strategies, ensuring compliance with pertinent laws and rules.
• Consulting with Human Resource Business Partners (HRBPs) in managing and developing job descriptions that accurately reflect job responsibilities, job analysis and organizational structure.
• Conducting in-depth research to obtain market and survey data and consulting on well-informed salary recommendations for exempt positions.
• Maintaining slotting and compensation structure spreadsheets, reports, equity reviews, and accurate records for market and survey matches.
• Utilizing market/survey data for continuous improvement in the areas of recruitment and selection, promotions, evaluations and training for employees.
• Providing guidance and consultation on salary offers and complex HR issues, ensuring compatibility with market conditions, comparables and impact on internal equity. Develop solutions and options within legal boundaries.
• Reviewing employee status changes, transfers, promotions and reclassifications to ensure alignment within published compensation guidelines.
• Developing and managing a compensation schedule, policies and initiatives, including pay equity, annual compensation cycle, total direct compensation analysis, salary survey design and submission, job redesign, job measurement and data analysis/ad hoc reporting.
• Serving as the primary coordinator for the ITPS Allocation Committee, ensuring accurate data and documentation within the SHR PET tool and allocation files.
• Analyzing and reviewing Information Technology (IT) job classifications, reclassifications, and position descriptions. Providing consultation and guidance during appeal hearings in collaboration with HRBPs.
• Creating reports to ensure Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) status are accurately keyed and proper documentation is in the file.
• Providing training, representing the HR Director in meetings related to compensation and classification, and participating in the OFM HR leadership team.

What you need to bring

• Advanced knowledge of compensation principles and practices, including job evaluation, salary administration, market pricing, pay structures, and internal equity.
• Experience applying the federal and/or state laws, regulations, and policies governing compensation and wage administration, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Advanced skills to analyze complex compensation, classification and market data, and develop sound, data driven recommendations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools to perform compensation analyses, develop reports, and identify trends.
• Experience performing market pricing, salary survey participation, benchmark job analysis, and position evaluation.

Preferred/Desired education, experience and competencies

• Experience using Washington State HRMS or other Human Resource Information System.
• Experience conducting pay equity analyses and making compensation recommendations based on internal and external market data.
• Professional human resources or compensation certification or formal trainings, such as Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), or Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
• Experience evaluating and assigning positions within the Washington Management Service (WMS), Exempt Management Service (EMS), and Washington General Service (WGS) compensation structures.

We are committed to finding the candidate whose skills and experience align best with this role. We recognize that strong candidates may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. If your qualifications align with the role and you excel in collaborative environments, can manage competing priorities, and are committed to equitable and inclusive practices, we encourage you to apply.

What we offer

At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees. Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Questions:

OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at [e-mail].

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.