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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk

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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.

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.

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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.

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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?

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

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Where Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Work

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

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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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