Tennessee Median
$51,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $58,260
State Rank
#43 of 51
3,680 employed here
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in Tennessee?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Tennessee take home a median of $51,780 annually — roughly $24.89 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $58,260.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $36,270 while the top 10% make $75,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,300 and $61,350 a year.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,780 | $24.89 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,350 | $29.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,160 | $36.13 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 43rd 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 $74,670California $65,340Washington $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 $51,790Louisiana $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($51,780) 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 Tennessee?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Tennessee is $51,780 per year, or about $24.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,270 at the entry level to $75,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks about 11% less than the national median of $58,260. Tennessee ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,780 a year. About 3,680 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.