Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$53,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $58,260
State Rank
#36 of 51
3,630 employed here

How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in North Carolina?

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in North Carolina take home a median of $53,550 annually — roughly $25.75 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $58,260.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,620 while the top 10% make $74,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,680 and $62,650 a year.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,620$17.61
25th percentile (early career)$45,680$21.96
50th percentile (median)$53,550$25.75
75th percentile (experienced)$62,650$30.12
90th percentile (top earners)$74,480$35.81

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 36th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($53,550) 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 North Carolina?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in North Carolina is $53,550 per year, or about $25.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,620 at the entry level to $74,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks about 8% less than the national median of $58,260. North Carolina ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,550 a year. About 3,630 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.