Payroll assistant vs payroll analyst

The differences between payroll assistants and payroll analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a payroll assistant and a payroll analyst. Additionally, a payroll analyst has an average salary of $54,217, which is higher than the $45,023 average annual salary of a payroll assistant.

The top three skills for a payroll assistant include data entry, payroll system and payroll data. The most important skills for a payroll analyst are customer service, payroll system, and payroll data.

Payroll assistant vs payroll analyst overview

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Analyst
Yearly salary	$45,023	$54,217
Hourly rate	$21.65	$26.07
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	7,063	15,555
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does a payroll assistant do?

A payroll assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks to help payroll managers maintain smooth workflow operations. Their duties entail maintaining databases, entering relevant data into systems, coordinating with different departments, handling tax forms and other paperwork, establishing schedules, processing deductions, and preparing regular reports. They may also manage calls and other forms of correspondence, perform research and assessments, keep records, and run errands as necessary. Additionally, a payroll assistant must maintain an open communication line with fellow staff and managers to solve potential or existing issues.

What does a payroll analyst do?

A payroll analyst is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's payroll processes and transactions, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with human resources for accurate and complete timesheets and employee data, managing calendars and schedules, calculating wages and deductions, and performing consistent audits. There are also instances when a payroll analyst must perform clerical tasks such as processing documents, prepare progress reports, and respond to employee inquiries. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers should there be any issues and concerns.

Payroll assistant vs payroll analyst salary

Payroll assistants and payroll analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Analyst
Average salary	$45,023	$54,217
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $65,000	Between $39,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Riverhead, NY	Olympia, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	Sidley Austin	Varian Medical Systems
Best paying industry	Construction	Technology

Differences between payroll assistant and payroll analyst education

There are a few differences between a payroll assistant and a payroll analyst in terms of educational background:

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll assistant vs payroll analyst demographics

Here are the differences between payroll assistants' and payroll analysts' demographics:

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Analyst
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0%	Male, 24.2% Female, 75.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll assistant and payroll analyst duties and responsibilities

Payroll assistant example responsibilities.

Enter and update new employees into the timekeeping system KRONOS.
Perform payroll functions such as timekeeping and vacation days and submit to payroll.
Assist with the payroll process, time cards input and personal time off (PTO).
Prepare and input both weekly and biweekly payroll information using ADP software, ensuring information receive and transmit is accurate.
Process employee terminations including final pay calculations, PTO payment, deductions, and ensure payment meets state final pay requirements.
Maintain accurate records in PeopleSoft.

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Payroll analyst example responsibilities.

Manage all activities relate to base pay, overtime, PTO, garnishments and payroll tax.
Perform monthly accounting functions including journal entries, general ledger account reconciliations, benefit and salary accruals, and headcount reconciliations.
Create PowerPoint slides to train new timekeepers and managers in KRONOS.
Lead functional tester in support of timekeeping, payroll and labor upgrades and conversion projects.
Support the third-party web applications like KRONOS and custom-built time entry systems to input the time data
Enter new hires, terminations, and employee maintenance changes into HRIS & ADP including process employee benefit elections.

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Payroll assistant vs payroll analyst skills

Common payroll assistant skills

Data Entry, 16%
Payroll System, 7%
Payroll Data, 6%
Human Resources, 5%
ADP, 5%
Payroll Checks, 4%

Common payroll analyst skills

Customer Service, 11%
Payroll System, 6%
Payroll Data, 4%
Human Resources, 4%
Reconciliations, 4%
Data Entry, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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