What Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions"; "Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers"; "Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records"; "Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies"; "Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 159,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 134,300 in 2035, a decrease of 25,300 jobs (-15.9%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,260, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $61,219 in New York to $61,948 in New Jersey, a gap of $729 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $58,260 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 11,070, which is 50.5% of the 21,940 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 10,870.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($61,948) and New York ($61,219) lead the ranking, while New York ($61,219) and New Jersey ($61,948) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-3000) include Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, Billing and Posting Clerks, Bill and Account Collectors and Tellers.
Frequently asked questions about Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,260. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $61,219 to $61,948.
Which state pays Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $61,948. New York is next at $61,219.
Is Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 15.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,400 openings a year.
What education do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.