What Does it Take to Be a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?
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.
A Day in the Life of a Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk
- Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
- Provide information to employees and managers on payroll matters, tax issues, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.
- Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.
- Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
- Compile statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts, and submit them to appropriate departments.
- Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
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Payroll & Timekeeping Clerk Required Skills
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 Coordinator
- Piece Work Checker
- Payroll Officer
- Payroll Specialist
- Personnel Clerk
Is There Going to be Demand for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks?
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. 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.
Do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks ranges between about $29,170 and $64,420 a year.

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 |
What Tools 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 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

Below are examples of industries where Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks work:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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