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Payroll administrator vs administrator

The differences between payroll administrators and administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a payroll administrator, becoming an administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an administrator has an average salary of $72,882, which is higher than the $46,596 average annual salary of a payroll administrator.

The top three skills for a payroll administrator include customer service, data entry and payroll system. The most important skills for an administrator are customer service, data entry, and troubleshoot.

Payroll administrator vs administrator overview

Payroll AdministratorAdministrator
Yearly salary$46,596$72,882
Hourly rate$22.40$35.04
Growth rate-3%5%
Number of jobs55,49067,553
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4843
Years of experience42

What does a payroll administrator do?

A payroll administrator is responsible for processing the wages of employees in a company or organization. Aside from issuing payments, it is also the payroll administrator's task to audit, process taxes and other deductions, keep and maintain an organized record of data, respond to inquiries and resolve issues, and tally employee work hours. Furthermore, a payroll administrator needs to have efficient attention to detail as most of the tasks require accuracy and speed. It is also essential to communicate and coordinate with team members at all times.

What does an administrator do?

Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.

Payroll administrator vs administrator salary

Payroll administrators and administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Payroll AdministratorAdministrator
Average salary$46,596$72,882
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $46,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineWashington
Best paying companyNorthern TrustApple
Best paying industryConstructionManufacturing

Differences between payroll administrator and administrator education

There are a few differences between a payroll administrator and an administrator in terms of educational background:

Payroll AdministratorAdministrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Payroll administrator vs administrator demographics

Here are the differences between payroll administrators' and administrators' demographics:

Payroll AdministratorAdministrator
Average age4843
Gender ratioMale, 16.0% Female, 84.0%Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%9%

Differences between payroll administrator and administrator duties and responsibilities

Payroll administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage year-end W2 audit/corrections and distribution.
  • Manage employee direct deposit accounts and initiate ACH reversals when necessary.
  • Manage all requisitions using PeopleSoft for the administrator and all assign departments.
  • Maintain KRONOS timekeeping system, review, sort and distribute employee upload file and multiple misc.
  • Maintain and monitor PTO balances and provide executive reports relate to vacation accruals.
  • Assist in implementing and training of MyTime and Lawson systems.
    • Show more

Administrator example responsibilities.

  • Develop a Perl script to manage the LDAP schema.
  • Hire and manage all receptionists and assistant MCA's.
  • Used all tools of Java stack in supporting and managing it.
  • Manage and process product orders on windows base on-line computer network system.
  • Manage ADP time system for technicians and approve time-off requests, supporting management.
  • Manage professional staff of 9 (including 5 MDs) and support staff of 10
    • Show more

Payroll administrator vs administrator skills

Common payroll administrator skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Payroll System, 6%
  • Human Resources, 5%
  • Payroll Data, 4%
  • Process Payroll, 4%
Common administrator skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Financial Reports, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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