What Does it Take to Be a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?
Occupation Description Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees’ time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.
Life As a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk: What Do They Do?
- Coordinate special programs, such as United Way campaigns, that involve payroll deductions.
- Complete time sheets showing employees’ arrival and departure times.
- Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
- Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
- Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
- Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
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Things a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Should Know How to Do
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Types of Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Jobs
- Payroll and Benefits Specialist
- Payroll Secretary
- Payroll Coordinator
- Flight Crew Scheduler
- Time Recorder
Job Opportunities for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 166,300 jobs in the United States for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk ranges between $29,170 and $64,420.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $40,700 |
Alaska | $52,860 |
Arizona | $42,570 |
Arkansas | $39,360 |
California | $51,520 |
Colorado | $49,980 |
Connecticut | $53,010 |
Delaware | $44,940 |
District of Columbia | $62,860 |
Florida | $42,520 |
Georgia | $46,250 |
Hawaii | $47,010 |
Idaho | $40,010 |
Illinois | $49,000 |
Indiana | $40,720 |
Iowa | $44,570 |
Kansas | $44,620 |
Kentucky | $41,290 |
Louisiana | $39,250 |
Maine | $40,400 |
Maryland | $51,610 |
Massachusetts | $51,840 |
Michigan | $44,030 |
Minnesota | $50,570 |
Mississippi | $39,250 |
Missouri | $39,640 |
Montana | $39,560 |
Nebraska | $41,750 |
Nevada | $45,180 |
New Hampshire | $48,590 |
New Jersey | $47,450 |
New Mexico | $39,050 |
New York | $47,960 |
North Carolina | $42,510 |
North Dakota | $45,190 |
Ohio | $43,980 |
Oklahoma | $40,680 |
Oregon | $46,620 |
Pennsylvania | $44,160 |
Rhode Island | $46,710 |
South Carolina | $41,370 |
South Dakota | $37,450 |
Tennessee | $44,650 |
Texas | $44,390 |
Utah | $45,980 |
Vermont | $44,050 |
Virginia | $47,720 |
Washington | $50,860 |
West Virginia | $35,560 |
Wisconsin | $44,590 |
Wyoming | $44,470 |
What Tools & Technology do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
Becoming a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk
What education is needed to be a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Sector

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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