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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk

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All About Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Definition 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.

Daily Life Of a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk

  • Conduct verifications of employment.
  • Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
  • 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.
  • Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
  • Post relevant work hours to client files to bill clients properly.

Qualities of 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 & Timekeeping Clerk Jobs

  • Payroll Analyst
  • Checkman
  • Payroll Secretary
  • Bonus Clerk
  • Payroll Specialist

Are There 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. 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.

How Much Does a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Make?

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.

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks:

  • 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 to 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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