Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary in 2026
How Much Do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Make?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn a median annual salary of $55,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,670 at the 10th percentile to $78,830 at the 90th percentile — a range of $42,160. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $69,210.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,670 |
| 25th percentile | $45,440 |
| Median (50th) | $55,290 |
| 75th percentile | $65,750 |
| 90th percentile | $78,830 |
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $69,210 |
| Washington | $62,310 |
| California | $61,670 |
| Minnesota | $60,780 |
| Connecticut | $60,720 |
| New Hampshire | $60,670 |
| New York | $60,600 |
| Massachusetts | $60,260 |
| Illinois | $60,060 |
| New Jersey | $59,920 |
| Rhode Island | $59,500 |
| Oregon | $59,430 |
| Alaska | $59,360 |
| Vermont | $59,210 |
| Colorado | $59,130 |
| North Dakota | $58,580 |
| Idaho | $58,200 |
| Hawaii | $58,010 |
| Delaware | $57,690 |
| Maryland | $57,590 |
| Nevada | $56,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,620 |
| Wisconsin | $55,430 |
| Virginia | $55,240 |
| Utah | $54,790 |
| Michigan | $54,690 |
| New Mexico | $54,170 |
| Wyoming | $53,650 |
| Maine | $53,110 |
| Nebraska | $52,660 |
| Georgia | $52,220 |
| North Carolina | $52,000 |
| Texas | $51,990 |
| Missouri | $51,940 |
| Ohio | $51,460 |
| South Carolina | $50,710 |
| Arizona | $50,600 |
| Montana | $50,270 |
| Kentucky | $50,190 |
| Tennessee | $50,140 |
| Kansas | $50,020 |
| Iowa | $49,990 |
| Louisiana | $49,840 |
| Indiana | $49,380 |
| Florida | $48,030 |
| South Dakota | $46,940 |
| Arkansas | $45,830 |
| Oklahoma | $45,670 |
| Alabama | $45,470 |
| Mississippi | $43,790 |
| West Virginia | $42,080 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,670 – $45,440 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$55,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$65,750 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $78,830+ |
How to Earn More as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $80,150 — $24,860 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($65,750) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerkthis career | $55,290 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Treasurers and Controller | $161,700 |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | $140,360 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 43-3051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.