Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn a median of $58,260 per year ($28.01/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 15.9% through 2035, with about 11,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Commonly called: Payroll Clerk
- SOC 43-3051
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk in four numbers
- Median pay
- $58,260a year, or $28.01/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $81K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -15.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−15.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −15.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 11,400159,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025159.6K
- Projected 2035134.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 159.6K Projected 2035 134.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school20.6%
- Some college30.4%
- Associate's17.3%
- Bachelor's31.8%
Highest education held by payroll and timekeeping clerks Segment Value High school 20.6% Some college 30.4% Associate's 17.3% Bachelor's 31.8%
Also advertised as: Payroll Assistant, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Coordinator, Payroll Representative, Payroll Specialist, Payroll Technician.
Pay
How much do payroll clerks make?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn a median of $58,260 a year ($28.01 an hour, or about $4,860 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $39,500 and the top 10% more than $81,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $74,670. See Payroll clerk salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($84,640 average): salary in every city.
Every payroll and timekeeping clerk in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$58,260
Middle half earn $47,990 to $69,600
- 10th
- $39,500
- 25th
- $47,990
- 75th
- $69,600
- 90th
- $81,350
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,500 |
| 25th | $47,990 |
| Median | $58,260 |
| 75th | $69,600 |
| 90th | $81,350 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $58,260
- Median hourly wage
- $28.01/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $59,630
- People employed
- 153,140
Versus all US occupations
At $58,260, Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn 14% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,280 a year.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 18% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $81,350 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,500, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 30% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($74,670), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $68,121 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay payroll clerks the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $74,670 | $67,943 | 270 |
| 2California | $65,340 | $59,014 | 20,590 |
| 3Washington | $64,560 | $60,329 | 3,560 |
| 4Colorado | $64,140 | $62,240 | 2,580 |
| 5Massachusetts | $63,670 | $60,204 | 3,280 |
| 6New Hampshire | $63,090 | $60,567 | 800 |
| 7Alaska | $62,210 | $60,776 | 360 |
| 8Connecticut | $62,200 | $60,033 | 1,540 |
| 9Hawaii | $62,070 | $56,452 | 700 |
| 10Illinois | $61,390 | $61,416 | 5,580 |
Job outlook
Is payroll clerk a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -15.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks | −15.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks to change -15.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 25,400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 11,400 openings are projected each year, 7.1% of the 159,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of financial clerks is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The availability of online tools, which allow financial customers to perform many tasks themselves, is expected to reduce demand for occupations such as new accounts clerks; procurement clerks; and credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks. Similarly, productivity-enhancing technology is expected to limit demand for other clerks, such as payroll and timekeeping clerks, loan interviewers and clerks, brokerage clerks, and insurance claims and policy processing clerks.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a payroll clerk
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most financial clerk jobs. These workers typically learn their duties through on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as payroll and timekeeping clerks.
- Bachelor's Degree31.8%
- Some College Courses30.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)20.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree17.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 31.8% |
| Some College Courses | 30.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 20.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 17.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a payroll clerk do?
Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.
Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. They keep records, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.
Day-to-day tasks
- Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
- Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
- Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
- Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
- Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
- Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
- Conduct verifications of employment.
- Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most financial clerks work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Mathematics3.3
- Writing3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Learning2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Time Management2.9
- Coordination2.8
- Instructing2.3
- Systems Analysis2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
| Instructing | 2.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Time accounting software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Compliance software
- Data base reporting software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a payroll clerk?
Women make up 82.2% of payroll and timekeeping clerks, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
33.1% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs), so a larger-than-usual share of the workforce reaches retirement age over the next decade. Those exits are counted in the BLS openings figure.
The median worker is 46.3 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 82.2%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 46.3All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 33.1%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 166,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of payroll and timekeeping clerks | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 82.2% | 47.1% |
| White | 81.9% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 10.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18.6% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 33.1% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 10.2% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a payroll clerk?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional7.0
- Enterprising3.3
- Social1.9
- Realistic1.9
- Investigative1.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk
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Most earn $37K to $68K
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More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with payroll and timekeeping clerks highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$58,260
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Teller$43,030
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk | $58,260 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk appears on
Questions
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk: frequently asked questions
How much do payroll clerks make?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn a median of $58,260 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 14% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.01/hr. The middle half earn between $47,990 and $69,600. The top 10% earn $81,350 or more.
How much do payroll clerks make an hour?
The median hourly wage for payroll and timekeeping clerks is $28.01 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $58,260 annual median works out to about $4,860 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a payroll clerk?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn less than $39,500 a year and the bottom quarter less than $47,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do payroll clerks make $100k?
Rarely. Even the 90th percentile is $81,350, so fewer than 10% of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn $100,000 or more (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No state's median reaches $100,000; the highest is District of Columbia at $74,670.
Which states pay payroll clerks the most?
The highest state medians for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are District of Columbia ($74,670), California ($65,340), Washington ($64,560) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $68,121.
What kind of payroll clerk earns the most?
BLS does not split payroll and timekeeping clerks' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $81,350, against a median of $58,260 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($74,670), California ($65,340), Washington ($64,560).
Do you need a degree to become a payroll clerk?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 31.8% hold bachelor's degree.
How long does it take to become a payroll clerk?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for payroll clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing medium preparation.
Is payroll clerk a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 15.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 25,400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 11,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a payroll clerk do?
Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. A core O*NET task: keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Do payroll clerks work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 28% of payroll and timekeeping clerks usually work more than 40 hours a week, 59% work exactly 40 and 13% work fewer. 100% say their schedule is regular and 0% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a payroll clerk?
O*NET scores Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks highest on the Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of payroll clerks are women?
Women make up 82.2% of payroll and timekeeping clerks, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 33.1% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs), so a larger-than-usual share of the workforce reaches retirement age over the next decade. Those exits are counted in the BLS openings figure. The median worker is 46.3 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.