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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.

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.

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.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Work?

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:
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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