Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of accounts payable clerks that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of accounts payable clerks:
-
Accounts Payable Supervisor is the highest-paid type of accounts payable clerk with an average salary of $58,763 and an average hourly rate of $28.25.
-
The second highest-paying type of accounts payable clerk is accounts payable lead, with an average salary of $57,175.
-
The average accounts payable clerk salary is $38,333 per year, and the average hourly pay is $18.43.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an accounts payable clerk, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of accounts payable clerks are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of accounts payable clerks:
-
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Average Salary: $58,763
An accounts payable supervisor is an executive who is responsible for the timely payments of expense vouchers and vendor invoices. Accounts payable supervisors maintain the accuracy of the organization’s financial records. They report to the head of the accounting department and oversee the accounts payable team. It is also part of their job to manage the company’s budget reports and expense accounts. Leadership skills, strong communication, adaptability, and attention to detail are required to carry out this job.
-
Accounts Payable Lead
Average Salary: $57,175
Accounts payable leads are accounting professionals who are responsible for leading a team of professionals that manage the company’s accounts payable, a short-term debt payment that needs to be paid to avoid default. These professionals are required to evaluate vendor invoices and prepare payments to pay vendors while preparing the daily expense reports. They must create the general ledger at the end of the month to reconcile closing balances. Accounts payable leads must also assist purchasing agents in resolving vendor or customer issues that pertained to inaccurate information on purchase orders.
-
Account Payables Analyst
Average Salary: $54,356
An accounts payable analyst is primarily responsible for managing and processing invoices and payments, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They are also responsible for coordinating with various departments to obtain and acquire data and invoices, submitting payments to external vendors and suppliers, identifying errors and inconsistencies, and providing corrective measures. One may also perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports and presentations, managing schedules, addressing issues and concerns through calls and correspondence, and resolving them promptly and efficiently.
-
Accounting Associate
Average Salary: $50,537
An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.
-
Accounting Administrator
Average Salary: $48,068
An accounting administrator is responsible for reviewing and analyzing account statements, managing deposits, and resolving bank discrepancies and financial disputes. Accounting administrators handle the efficient and accurate cash flow within an organization, including payroll release and filing of petty cash. They maintain an organized record of payments and billing statements for reference and audit purposes to generate reports for the management. An accounting administrator must have extensive knowledge of the accounting principles, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills to perform duties effectively, even under minimal supervision.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various accounts payable clerk that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accounts Payable Clerks
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for accounts payable clerks.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accounts Payable Clerk Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid accounts payable clerk job?
The highest-paid accounts payable clerk job is an accounts payable supervisor. Accounts Payable Supervisors earn an average salary of $58,763, which is $ 28.25 hourly.
An accounts payable supervisor is an executive who is responsible for the timely payments of expense vouchers and vendor invoices. Accounts payable supervisors maintain the accuracy of the organization’s financial records. They report to the head of the accounting department and oversee the accounts payable team. It is also part of their job to manage the company’s budget reports and expense accounts. Leadership skills, strong communication, adaptability, and attention to detail are required to carry out this job.
-
What is a good salary for an accounts payable clerk?
A good salary for an accounts payable clerk is $38,333 or more. The average accounts payable clerk salary is $38,333, so those making at least $38,333 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average accounts payable clerk salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an accounts payable clerk, the average entry level salary is $27,089, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $38,333 average, as this includes all accounts payable clerks of all skill and experience levels.
-
Do Accounts Payable Clerk jobs pay well?
No, accounts payable clerk jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some accounts payable clerk jobs pay better than others, but the average accounts payable clerk salary of $38,333 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many accounts payable clerk jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of accounts payable clerks earning $50,814 a year on average.
Accounts Payable Clerks’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an accounts payable clerk. Do your research on the going rate for an accounts payable clerk in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
-
Where do accounts payable clerks get paid the most?
Accounts Payable Clerks get paid the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, accounts payable clerks earn an average annual salary of $44,127 and an average hourly wage of $21.21.
Following CT, the states with the highest-paid accounts payable clerks are Alaska, Washington, and New York, with average annual salaries of $44,118, $43,341, and $44,070 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid accounts payable clerk salaries are:
-
Washington, DC – $47,460
-
Boston, MA – $46,910
-
San Francisco, CA – $45,904
-
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
