Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 43-3051As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for payroll and timekeeping clerks in the United States is $58,260 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 153,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,500 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $47,990 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $58,260 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $69,600 | Experienced |
| 90th | $81,350 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $74,670 | $76,510 | 270 |
| California | $65,340 | $68,580 | 21,000 |
| Washington | $64,560 | $67,810 | 4,000 |
| Colorado | $64,140 | $65,400 | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $63,670 | $66,810 | 3,000 |
| New Hampshire | $63,090 | $64,240 | 800 |
| Alaska | $62,210 | $62,990 | 360 |
| Connecticut | $62,200 | $64,880 | 2,000 |
| Hawaii | $62,070 | $64,260 | 700 |
| Illinois | $61,390 | $62,460 | 6,000 |
| Minnesota | $61,320 | $62,620 | 3,000 |
| New York | $61,040 | $63,650 | 8,000 |
| Oregon | $60,980 | $62,260 | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $60,750 | $62,510 | 4,000 |
| North Dakota | $60,600 | $61,350 | 300 |
| Georgia | $59,990 | $59,510 | 7,000 |
| Maryland | $59,760 | $59,580 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $59,370 | $61,010 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $59,310 | $59,710 | 3,000 |
| Virginia | $58,250 | $59,810 | 3,000 |
| Nevada | $58,220 | $58,800 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $57,360 | $59,700 | 590 |
| Ohio | $57,270 | $58,530 | 6,000 |
| Kansas | $56,590 | $58,630 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $56,430 | $61,460 | 320 |
| Utah | $56,430 | $57,810 | 2,000 |
| Michigan | $56,160 | $58,450 | 4,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,690 | $56,880 | 5,000 |
| Vermont | $55,340 | $56,440 | 270 |
| Montana | $55,040 | $57,000 | 530 |
| Nebraska | $54,900 | $57,030 | 910 |
| Texas | $54,090 | $55,390 | 13,000 |
| Iowa | $54,080 | $56,960 | 1,000 |
| Missouri | $54,080 | $56,000 | 3,000 |
| Indiana | $53,770 | $55,590 | 4,000 |
| North Carolina | $53,550 | $54,800 | 4,000 |
| New Mexico | $53,230 | $53,380 | 820 |
| Kentucky | $52,890 | $54,510 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $52,240 | $54,950 | 2,000 |
| Wyoming | $51,940 | $54,000 | 160 |
| Florida | $51,910 | $55,170 | 11,000 |
| Idaho | $51,790 | $54,810 | 800 |
| Tennessee | $51,780 | $54,220 | 4,000 |
| Louisiana | $50,800 | $51,730 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $50,210 | $52,140 | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $49,920 | $52,030 | 2,000 |
| South Dakota | $47,680 | $49,730 | 370 |
| West Virginia | $47,460 | $47,820 | 580 |
| Alabama | $46,170 | $47,530 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $46,110 | $49,750 | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | $45,170 | $47,680 | 1,000 |
| Guam | $38,550 | $40,000 | 60 |
| Virgin Islands | $38,100 | $42,410 | 40 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,200 | $35,760 | 1,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a payroll and timekeeping clerks in the US?
The US national median wage for payroll and timekeeping clerks is $58,260 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for payroll and timekeeping clerks in the US?
Pay ranges from $39,500 at the 10th percentile to $81,350 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay payroll and timekeeping clerks the most?
The highest-paying states for payroll and timekeeping clerks include District of Columbia ($74,670), California ($65,340), Washington ($64,560). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does payroll and timekeeping clerks salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($74,670) pays roughly 118% more than Puerto Rico ($34,200). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02