Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
SOC code 43-3051 · O*NET-SOC 43-3051.00 · Medium preparation needed · Office and administration
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$58,260
a year
Hourly
$28.01
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$59,630
$28.67 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,990 – $69,600
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$39,500 – $81,350
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
153,140
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $39,500
- $18.99/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,990
- $23.07/hr
- Median percentile
- $58,260
- $28.01/hr
- 75th percentile
- $69,600
- $33.46/hr
- 90th percentile
- $81,350
- $39.11/hr
What do payroll and timekeeping clerks do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
- Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
- Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
- Prepare and file payroll tax returns.
- Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
- Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
- Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
- Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 32% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree32%
- Some College Courses30%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree17%
Common questions
How much does a payroll and timekeeping clerks earn?
The national median is $58,260 a year. The full range runs from $39,500 at the 10th percentile to $81,350 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a payroll and timekeeping clerks without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Administrative4.5/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Economics and Accounting4.1/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.