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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk

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What Does it Take to Be a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?

Job Description & Duties 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

  • Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
  • Complete, verify, and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, and unemployment and medical insurance.
  • Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.
  • Conduct verifications of employment.
  • Train employees on organizations’ timekeeping systems.
  • Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.

Qualities of a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk

Below is a list of the skills most Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks say are important on the job.

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.

  • Time Clerk
  • Payroll Analyst
  • Time Checker
  • Payroll Processor
  • Accounting Technician

Are There Job Opportunities for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?

In the United States, there were 166,300 jobs for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk in 2016. 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.

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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.

Salary for 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 each U.S. state?

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?

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

Learn what Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Work?

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks work in the following industries:

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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