Median Salary
$58,260
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$28.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$81,350
entry level starts ~$39,500
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 153,000 employed
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make?
The median pay for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the United States is $58,260 per year — about $28.01 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $39,500, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $81,350.
That is $3,130 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary range by percentile
Half of all Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn between $47,990 and $69,600 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,500 | $18.99 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,990 | $23.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,260 | $28.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,600 | $33.46 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,350 | $39.11 |
|
Highest-paying states for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay at $74,670 a year, followed by California ($65,340) and Washington ($64,560). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $45,170 — a gap of $29,500 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $51,790Tennessee $51,780Louisiana $50,800Arizona $50,210Oklahoma $49,920South Dakota $47,680West Virginia $47,460Alabama $46,170Arkansas $46,110Mississippi $45,170
Workforce and education
About 153,000 people work as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in the United States?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in the United States is $58,260 per year, or about $28.01 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,500, while the top 10% of earners make $81,350 or more.
How does Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks median of $58,260 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks, with a median salary of $74,670 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks work in the United States?
About 153,000 people were employed as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.