How To Become A Payroll Processor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a payroll processor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A payroll processor manages employee compensation, including calculating salaries, taxes, and deductions. They ensure accurate and timely payments and handle benefits, sick leave, and vacation pay. Payroll processors also keep track of changes in tax laws and regulations, update employee information, and generate reports. They must be proficient in payroll software and possess attention to detail and organizational skills. A payroll processor ensures that employees receive their rightful pay and benefits while complying with legal requirements.

ScorePayroll ProcessorUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,307

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.52%

Asian 6.02%

Black or African American 9.59%

Hispanic or Latino 18.24%

Unknown 6.07%

White 58.57%

Gender

female 83.91%

male 16.09%

Age - 49

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a payroll processor?

Pros

Good compensation and benefits
Chance to work with numbers and data
Potential for career advancement
Chance to help others with financial planning and budgeting
Possibility of being part of a team-oriented work environment

Cons

Tight deadlines that can be demanding
Can be repetitive and monotonous work
Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation
Potential for dealing with angry or frustrated clients or employees
May require working overtime during peak periods

Key steps to become a payroll processor

Explore payroll processor education requirements

Most common payroll processor degrees

Bachelor's

43.9 %

Associate

32.0 %

High School Diploma

12.4 %

Start to develop specific payroll processor skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	12.18%
Data Entry	8.89%
ADP	5.49%
Payroll System	5.21%
Kronos	4.66%

Complete relevant payroll processor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New payroll processors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a payroll processor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real payroll processor resumes.

Research payroll processor duties and responsibilities

Manage PTO and cafeteria benefits program.
Assist KRONOS editors as need in the KRONOS timekeeping system.
Input, verify and correct time records using the KRONOS and Lawson software.
Test new software upgrades to payroll HRIS system before implementing to payroll team.

Prepare your payroll processor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your payroll processor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a payroll processor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable payroll processor resume templates

Build a professional payroll processor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your payroll processor resume.