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.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
SOC: 43-3051 O*NET: 43-3051.00
Median Salary
$55,290
per year
Job Growth
📉 -16.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,670
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,440
25th percentile
Median
$55,290
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,750
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,830
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,670
25th
$45,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$55,290
Mean: $56,870
75th
$65,750
90th
$78,830
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,160 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,440 and $65,750
- •Salary spread is 36.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 156,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:161,100
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services17.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services17.4%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services12.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-16.7%
Annual Openings:13,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)161,100
Current
2034 (Projected)134,200
-16.7%
-27,000
Employment Change
-16.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
23,180 jobs$61,6701.26x
Texas
14,130 jobs$51,9901.00x
Florida
10,060 jobs$48,0301.01x
New York
9,040 jobs$60,6000.93x
Illinois
6,060 jobs$60,0600.98x
Ohio
5,690 jobs$51,4601.01x
Pennsylvania
5,630 jobs$55,6200.92x
Georgia
4,740 jobs$52,2200.96x
New Jersey
4,350 jobs$59,9201.01x
Indiana
4,120 jobs$49,3801.27x
Michigan
3,920 jobs$54,6900.88x
Washington
3,880 jobs$62,3101.08x
Arizona
3,670 jobs$50,6001.13x
North Carolina
3,620 jobs$52,0000.73x
Massachusetts
3,470 jobs$60,2600.94x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
92%
#3
Mathematics
86%
#4
Speaking
78%
#5
Critical Thinking
70%
#6
Writing
62%
#7
Service Orientation
56%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
48%
#9
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.6
92%
Mathematics
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.9
78%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.5
70%
Writing
intermediate3.1
62%
Service Orientation
basic2.8
56%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Accountants and Auditors73%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants73%
5 shared skills
Archivists73%
5 shared skills
Audio and Video Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Chemists73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechWorkday software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechKronos Workforce Timekeeper
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Workday software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Provide information to employees and managers on payroll matters, tax issues, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Complete time sheets showing employees' arrival and departure times.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.81
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.75
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.75
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.71
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.54
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.51
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.7
Self-Control
4.5
Independence
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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