Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$61,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $58,260
State Rank
#10 of 51
5,580 employed here

How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in Illinois?

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Illinois take home a median of $61,390 annually — roughly $29.51 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $58,260.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $39,670 while the top 10% make $86,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,560 and $74,820 a year.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,670$19.07
25th percentile (early career)$48,560$23.35
50th percentile (median)$61,390$29.51
75th percentile (experienced)$74,820$35.97
90th percentile (top earners)$86,460$41.57

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$74,670
2California$65,340
3Washington$64,560
4Colorado$64,140
5Massachusetts$63,670

Working as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($61,390) 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 Illinois?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Illinois is $61,390 per year, or about $29.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,670 at the entry level to $86,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks about 5% more than the national median of $58,260. Illinois ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,390 a year. About 5,580 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.