California Median
$65,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $58,260
State Rank
#2 of 51
20,590 employed here
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in California?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks working in California earn a median salary of $65,340 per year, or about $31.41 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $58,260 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $46,120 while the top 10% make $92,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,230 and $78,870 a year.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,230 | $27.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,340 | $31.41 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,870 | $37.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,080 | $44.27 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in other states
District of Columbia $74,670Washington $64,560Colorado $64,140Massachusetts $63,670New Hampshire $63,090Alaska $62,210Connecticut $62,200Hawaii $62,070Illinois $61,390Minnesota $61,320New York $61,040Oregon $60,980New Jersey $60,750North Dakota $60,600Georgia $59,990Maryland $59,760Rhode Island $59,370Wisconsin $59,310Virginia $58,250Nevada $58,220Maine $57,360Ohio $57,270Kansas $56,590Delaware $56,430Utah $56,430Michigan $56,160Pennsylvania $55,690Vermont $55,340Montana $55,040Nebraska $54,900Texas $54,090Iowa $54,080Missouri $54,080Indiana $53,770North Carolina $53,550New Mexico $53,230Kentucky $52,890South Carolina $52,240Wyoming $51,940Florida $51,910Idaho $51,790Tennessee $51,780Louisiana $50,800Arizona $50,210Oklahoma $49,920South Dakota $47,680West Virginia $47,460Alabama $46,170Arkansas $46,110Mississippi $45,170
Working as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California
Nationally, about 153,000 people work as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($65,340) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in California?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in California is $65,340 per year, or about $31.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,120 at the entry level to $92,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks about 12% more than the national median of $58,260. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,340 a year. About 20,590 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.