Payroll clerk vs human resources clerk

The differences between payroll clerks and human resources clerks 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 clerk, becoming a human resources clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a payroll clerk has an average salary of $41,602, which is higher than the $35,149 average annual salary of a human resources clerk.

The top three skills for a payroll clerk include data entry, payroll system and photocopying. The most important skills for a human resources clerk are data entry, customer service, and background checks.

Payroll clerk vs human resources clerk overview

	Payroll Clerk	Human Resources Clerk
Yearly salary	$41,602	$35,149
Hourly rate	$20.00	$16.90
Growth rate	-3%	-
Number of jobs	71,944	107,374
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	4	2

What does a payroll clerk do?

A payroll clerk is responsible for managing the payroll process by collecting the necessary information needed to release payments. Payroll clerks' duties include verifying timesheets, calculating necessary deductions, issuing paychecks timely, managing payment discrepancies and disputes, updating employee's payment information in the database, and creating payroll reports. A payroll clerk must have strong analytical and organization skills, as well as a clear understanding of the organization's payroll policies, ensuring that the process follows regulatory procedures.

What does a human resources clerk do?

A human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries. Besides participating in the hiring process, a human resources clerk also has administrative duties such as maintaining employee information and records, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, and assisting newly hired employees. This is all done in adherence to a company's policies and regulations.

Payroll clerk vs human resources clerk salary

Payroll clerks and human resources clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Clerk	Human Resources Clerk
Average salary	$41,602	$35,149
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $55,000	Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Auburn, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Oregon
Best paying company	MDU Resources	University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between payroll clerk and human resources clerk education

There are a few differences between a payroll clerk and a human resources clerk in terms of educational background:

	Payroll Clerk	Human Resources Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll clerk vs human resources clerk demographics

Here are the differences between payroll clerks' and human resources clerks' demographics:

	Payroll Clerk	Human Resources Clerk
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 12.4% Female, 87.6%	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	10%	15%

Differences between payroll clerk and human resources clerk duties and responsibilities

Payroll clerk example responsibilities.

Manage all worker compensation and cobra benefit issues and filings.
Manage employee drug and background screenings, train new hires and verify I9 information.
Process payroll; assist in establishing new time and attendance (KRONOS) computer system; balance insurance billings.
View, key, post and monitor time and labor, absences and leave balances in PeopleSoft HRIS system.
Compile data and enter information into ADP payroll processing system.
Process payroll and transmit electronically to outside computer service for preparation of payroll checks and reports.

Human resources clerk example responsibilities.

Manage mail, postage, bank deposits and FedEx runs, etc.
Manage timesheets for payroll, account for all employees, and enter information into QuickBooks.
Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
Enter all payroll/timekeeping information into payroll system, including leave slips for vacations, flex time, bereavement and/or FMLA.
Utilize the Kronos system to retrieve time bank information, alter hours for correction, verify accurate processing.
Track all 2nd and 3rd shift attendance by running reports in Kronos and transferring attendance data into PeopleSoft.

Payroll clerk vs human resources clerk skills

Common payroll clerk skills

Data Entry, 19%
Payroll System, 10%
Photocopying, 7%
Excellent Organizational, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
ADP, 5%

Common human resources clerk skills

Data Entry, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
Background Checks, 7%
I-9, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Payroll Clerk vs Human Resources Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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