Compensation & Benefits
Payroll and reward fundamentals through WorldatWork and CEBS to executive and senior rewards leadership.
Typical roles: Compensation Analyst · Benefits Specialist · Total Rewards Manager · Head of Reward
The track, phase by phase
Foundation
Core
- WAW CCP WorldatWork Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
- CBP WorldatWork Certified Benefits Professional
- PayrollOrg CPP PayrollOrg Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- GBA IFEBP Group Benefits Associate
- SHRM TR SC SHRM Total Rewards Specialty Credential
Advanced
Mastery
A suggestion, not a set of prerequisites: one or two certifications per phase is plenty.
Compensation & Benefits on the HR & Learning map
Verified against issuers' official pages · updated · 82 active certifications
How to read the map
- Each tile is one certification: its abbreviation and, when the issuer publishes one, a listed-cost band. Hover (or open) a tile for the full name and issuer.
- Within each level the most recognised certifications come first (industry recognition, and how many career tracks use them); "+N more" lists the rest.
- under $300
- $300 to $999
- $1,000 to $2,999
- $3,000 or more
- No sign: price not published by the issuer
- Upcoming Announced by the issuer but not yet available: not counted
- Solid border and a phase number: on this track
- Dashed border, greyed: not on this track
HR Generalist & Strategic HR 17 certifications1 on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 12 certifications
- SHRM-CP, SHRM
- PHR, HRCI
- PHRca, HRCI
- PSHRA-CP, Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA)
- AIHR HRBP, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- AIHR HRC, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- AIHR HRG, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
+5 more+7 more intermediate HR Generalist & Strategic HR certifications
Expert, 3 certifications
Global & Regional HR 17 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 3 certifications
Intermediate, 7 certifications
- CIPD L5 PM, CIPD
- AHRI CPHR, Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
- CHRL, HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association)
- CPHR Canada, CPHR Canada / provincial member associations
- GMS-T, WERC (Worldwide ERC)
- IHRP-CP, Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP)
- PHRi, HRCI
+2 more intermediate Global & Regional HR certifications
Expert, 7 certifications
- Chartered MCIPD, CIPD
- CIPD L7 PM, CIPD
- Chartered FCIPD, CIPD
- CHRE, HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association)
- GPHR, HRCI
- IHRP-SP, Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP)
- SPHRi, HRCI
+2 more expert Global & Regional HR certifications
Total Rewards, Benefits & Payroll 16 certifications12 on this track
Beginner, 3 certifications
Intermediate, 10 certifications
- Phase 2: CoreCBP, WorldatWork
- Phase 2: CorePayrollOrg CPP, PayrollOrg (formerly American Payroll Association)
- Phase 2: CoreWAW CCP, WorldatWork
- Phase 2: CoreGBA, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
- Phase 2: CoreSHRM TR SC, SHRM
- Phase 3: AdvancedGRP, WorldatWork
- Phase 3: AdvancedRPA, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
- Phase 3: AdvancedWAW CSCP, WorldatWork
+2 more+2 more intermediate Total Rewards, Benefits & Payroll certifications
Talent Acquisition & Recruiting 12 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 9 certifications
- AIRS CIR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CDR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CTR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CASR, AIRS (ADP)
- SHRM TA SC, SHRM
- AIHR S&R, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- AIHR STA, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
+2 more+4 more intermediate Talent Acquisition & Recruiting certifications
Expert, 1 certification
Learning, Talent Development & Coaching 10 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 4 certifications
Change & Organisation Development 4 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 1 certification
Intermediate, 2 certifications
Expert, 1 certification
People Analytics & HR Tech 6 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 0 certifications
None listed
Intermediate, 6 certifications
Expert, 0 certifications
None listed
Other HR & Learning career tracks (6)
Retired / replaced (1)
No longer offered by their issuers, so not on the map. Holders keep them; each page says what replaced it, where anything did.
About this map
Compiled and verified by CertAscent against issuers' official pages.
Not affiliated with the issuers; certification names are trademarks of their owners. Prices, requirements and availability change: confirm on the issuer's official page (linked from every certification page) before you register or pay.