Payroll clerk vs payroll assistant

The differences between payroll clerks and payroll assistants 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 clerk and a payroll assistant. Additionally, a payroll assistant has an average salary of $45,023, which is higher than the $41,602 average annual salary of a payroll clerk.

The top three skills for a payroll clerk include data entry, payroll system and photocopying. The most important skills for a payroll assistant are data entry, payroll system, and payroll data.

Payroll clerk vs payroll assistant overview

	Payroll Clerk	Payroll Assistant
Yearly salary	$41,602	$45,023
Hourly rate	$20.00	$21.65
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	71,944	7,063
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

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 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.

Payroll clerk vs payroll assistant salary

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

	Payroll Clerk	Payroll Assistant
Average salary	$41,602	$45,023
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $55,000	Between $31,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Riverhead, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New York
Best paying company	MDU Resources	Sidley Austin
Best paying industry	Government	Construction

Differences between payroll clerk and payroll assistant education

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

	Payroll Clerk	Payroll Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll clerk vs payroll assistant demographics

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

	Payroll Clerk	Payroll Assistant
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 12.4% Female, 87.6%	Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll clerk and payroll assistant 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.

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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 clerk vs payroll assistant skills

Common payroll clerk skills

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

Common payroll assistant skills

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

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Updated January 8, 2025

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