Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
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.
Also called: Accounting Assistant, Attendance Clerk, Bonus Clerk, Checkman, Commissions Clerk, Finance Specialist
Median pay
$58,260
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,500 – $81,350
People employed
153,140
Holland code
CES
Conventional · Enterprising · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 7.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 8.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What payroll and timekeeping clerks do
- 01Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
- 02Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
- 03Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
- 04Prepare and file payroll tax returns.
- 05Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
- 06Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Personnel and Human Resources
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from payroll and timekeeping clerks
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping91% · −13%
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs85% · −7%
- Tax Preparers85% · −6%
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants84% · +31%
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents83% · +7%
Change into payroll and timekeeping clerks
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping93% · $50,610
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents86% · $62,370
- Tax Preparers85% · $54,920
- Correspondence Clerks82% · $46,800
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan82% · $45,920
Majors that lead here
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.