SOC 433051

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

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. Excludes "Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks" (43-3031).

National Median

$55,290

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$55,290

Entry Level (10th pct)

$36,670

Experienced (90th pct)

$78,830

Total Employed

156,950

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$36,670 - $45,440
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$45,440 - $65,750
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$65,750 - $78,830

Highest Paying Locations for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$80,150

+45.0% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$78,180

+41.4% vs national

District of Columbia

$69,210

+25.2% vs national

Napa, CA

$67,250

+21.6% vs national

Boulder, CO

$65,520

+18.5% vs national

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$80,150	990
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$78,180	2,590
District of Columbia	$69,210	350
Napa, CA	$67,250	120
Boulder, CO	$65,520	120
Vallejo, CA	$64,700	140
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$64,480	100
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area	$64,460	70
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$64,210	50
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$63,710	7,950
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$63,640	2,440
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$63,380	1,630
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$63,380	1,660
Boise City, ID	$63,230	540
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$63,090	1,980
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$63,090	150
Rochester, MN	$62,760	70
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$62,680	70
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$62,410	90
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$62,400	240
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$62,350	90
Washington	$62,310	3,880
Yakima, WA	$62,190	120
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$62,190	140
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$61,920	4,710
Midland, MI	$61,910	50
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$61,880	50
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$61,800	1,690
New Haven, CT	$61,780	220
California	$61,670	23,180
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$61,410	1,620
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$61,340	2,660
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$61,110	600
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$60,980	1,660
Minnesota	$60,780	2,700
Coeur d'Alene, ID	$60,760	50
Connecticut	$60,720	1,540
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$60,720	350
New Hampshire	$60,670	1,030
New York	$60,600	9,040
East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$60,570	30
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$60,560	120
Longview-Kelso, WA	$60,470	50
Massachusetts	$60,260	3,470
Sheboygan, WI	$60,140	60
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$60,080	1,690
Illinois	$60,060	6,060
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$60,040	130
New Jersey	$59,920	4,350
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$59,690	90

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?

The national median annual salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks is $55,290, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerkss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerkss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $80,150.

How much can an experienced Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make?

Top-earning Payroll and Timekeeping Clerkss (90th percentile) make $78,830 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.