Payroll assistant vs payroll supervisor

The differences between payroll assistants and payroll supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a payroll supervisor has an average salary of $64,422, 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 supervisor are customer service, payroll system, and payroll tax.

Payroll assistant vs payroll supervisor overview

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Supervisor
Yearly salary	$45,023	$64,422
Hourly rate	$21.65	$30.97
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	7,063	6,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 supervisor do?

A payroll supervisor ensures employee salaries are released in a timely manner and accounts for all payrolls and cash released by the company. The payroll supervisor organizes all financial transactions and generates reports for accounting. This position ensures employees are paid accurately and calculates all deductibles such as insurance, child support, taxes, and payroll adjustments. The payroll supervisor must have accounting and bookkeeping skills and has pertinent experience in relevant fields of study.

Payroll assistant vs payroll supervisor salary

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

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Supervisor
Average salary	$45,023	$64,422
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $65,000	Between $46,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	Riverhead, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Sidley Austin	eBay
Best paying industry	Construction	Technology

Differences between payroll assistant and payroll supervisor education

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

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll assistant vs payroll supervisor demographics

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

	Payroll Assistant	Payroll Supervisor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0%	Male, 21.3% Female, 78.7%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll assistant and payroll supervisor 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 supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage the administration and processing of KRONOS time reporting system.
Manage installation of automate timekeeping systems in facilities, ensuring accurate, timely processing of time and attendance information.
Act as the HRIS backup running queries and reports as scheduled and upon request via PeopleSoft for management and key stakeholders.
Create journal entries and account reconciliations for key benefit programs and maintain account reconciliations of liability accounts.
Assist in implementing new PTO plan, work with ADP to interface system.
Check all new hire information, ensuring accuracy of information complete in KRONOS system.

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Payroll assistant vs payroll supervisor skills

Common payroll assistant skills

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

Common payroll supervisor skills

Customer Service, 9%
Payroll System, 6%
Payroll Tax, 5%
Reconciliations, 5%
Human Resources, 4%
Process Payroll, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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