Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks work in a field that combines numbers, records management, and consistent, detail-focused work. Nationally, there are about 161,000 people employed in this occupation, and the typical entry point is a high school diploma or equivalent. The role leans heavily on mathematics, comfort with computers and information technology, and strong writing and reading skills. Success also depends on being detail oriented, adaptable, and able to communicate clearly through speaking and listening. Critical and analytical thinking are important, as is the ability to work well with others using strong interpersonal skills. Fine motor skills and creativity and innovation also appear among the top skills, signaling that accuracy and problem-solving both play a part. While projected employment growth is negative, there are still thousands of annual openings, and certain states and metro areas offer stronger opportunity scores and higher median salaries for those pursuing this career path.
The national median annual salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks is $55,290. Several states offer notably higher median wages. California reports a median salary of $65,340, Massachusetts $63,670, New York $61,040, Colorado $64,140, and Washington $64,560. Among metro areas, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA stands out with a median salary of $80,510, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA follows closely at $77,950. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro shows a median salary of $66,930, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offer $63,500 and $63,440, respectively. These figures show that pay can vary significantly by location, with certain metros and states offering substantially higher median earnings than the national level, which may be an important factor for career planning and relocation decisions.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks currently account for about 161,000 jobs nationally. Projected employment growth for this occupation is -16.7%, indicating a decline in overall employment levels over the projection period. Even with this projected decrease, there are still an estimated 13,000 annual openings. This combination suggests ongoing turnover and replacement needs, even as total employment shrinks. People considering this career should recognize that while opportunities continue to exist, the overall number of positions is expected to decline. Evaluating local opportunity scores and employment levels in specific states and metro areas can help identify regions where conditions may be more favorable. For those already in the field, awareness of the negative growth projection may encourage ongoing skill development, especially in the top skill areas identified for this occupation, to remain competitive within a changing labor market.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for payroll and timekeeping clerks. Among states, California leads with a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $65,340, and employment of 20,590. Massachusetts and New York follow, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $63,670 and $61,040, respectively. Colorado and Washington also show elevated opportunity scores (56.97 and 56.29) and median salaries above $64,000. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $77,950, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is close behind with a 77.27 score and large employment of 7,770. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro median salary at $80,510. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also provide strong opportunity scores above 63. All listed states and metros share the same -16.7% growth rate, so differences in opportunity largely reflect pay, employment levels, and overall opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for payroll and timekeeping clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a field that does not generally require a college degree for entry. However, the skill profile shows that employers expect more than basic schooling. Mathematics and computers and information technology are central, reflecting the numerical and system-based nature of the work. Writing and reading, along with speaking and listening, indicate the importance of clear communication. Being detail oriented and adaptable can help with maintaining accurate records and handling changes in processes or workloads. Interpersonal skills matter for working with colleagues and others, while critical and analytical thinking supports problem-solving and decision-making. Fine motor skills and creativity and innovation also appear among top skills, suggesting that careful, precise work and the ability to improve or refine processes can add value. Developing these skills alongside the required education can strengthen readiness for this occupation.
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