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.
What Do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Do On a Daily Basis?
- Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
- Coordinate special programs, such as United Way campaigns, that involve payroll deductions.
- Provide information to employees and managers on payroll matters, tax issues, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.
- Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
- Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
- Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk?
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 and Timekeeping Clerk
- Flight Crew Time Clerk
- Payroll Administrator
- Personnel and Payroll Technician
- Payroll Associate
- Payroll Technician
Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Job Outlook
There were about 166,300 jobs for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk. The BLS estimates 16,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
What is the Average Salary of a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk
The typical yearly salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks is somewhere between $29,170 and $64,420.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make 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 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
How do I Become a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?

What work experience do I need to become a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk?

Where Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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