Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$52,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $58,260
State Rank
#38 of 51
1,670 employed here

How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in Kentucky?

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Kentucky take home a median of $52,890 annually — roughly $25.43 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $58,260.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $36,600 while the top 10% make $76,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,800 and $62,710 a year.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,600$17.60
25th percentile (early career)$43,800$21.06
50th percentile (median)$52,890$25.43
75th percentile (experienced)$62,710$30.15
90th percentile (top earners)$76,590$36.82

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($52,890) 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 Kentucky?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Kentucky is $52,890 per year, or about $25.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,600 at the entry level to $76,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks about 9% less than the national median of $58,260. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,890 a year. About 1,670 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.