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The differences between payroll assistants and payroll representatives 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 representative. Additionally, a payroll representative has an average salary of $45,054, 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 representative are data entry, payroll data, and payroll system.
| Payroll Assistant | Payroll Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $45,023 | $45,054 |
| Hourly rate | $21.65 | $21.66 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 7,063 | 6,076 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A payroll representative typically works in a company's human resources department, where their role focuses on processing payrolls and assisting employees. Although the extent of their duties depends on their company or industry of employment, it often includes answering employee inquiries about salaries and benefits, preparing and processing requests, and resolving issues and concerns. Moreover, a payroll representative is also responsible for tracking employee work hours, updating databases, and maintaining an active communication line with team members for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Payroll assistants and payroll representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Payroll Assistant | Payroll Representative | |
| Average salary | $45,023 | $45,054 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $65,000 | Between $31,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Riverhead, NY | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Sidley Austin | ABB |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a payroll assistant and a payroll representative in terms of educational background:
| Payroll Assistant | Payroll Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between payroll assistants' and payroll representatives' demographics:
| Payroll Assistant | Payroll Representative | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0% | Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |