Payroll processor vs payroll bookkeeper

The differences between payroll processors and payroll bookkeepers 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 processor and a payroll bookkeeper. Additionally, a payroll bookkeeper has an average salary of $46,087, which is higher than the $44,307 average annual salary of a payroll processor.

The top three skills for a payroll processor include customer service, data entry and ADP. The most important skills for a payroll bookkeeper are reconciliations, general ledger, and journal entries.

Payroll processor vs payroll bookkeeper overview

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Bookkeeper
Yearly salary	$44,307	$46,087
Hourly rate	$21.30	$22.16
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	11,795	8,176
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Payroll processor vs payroll bookkeeper salary

Payroll processors and payroll bookkeepers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average salary	$44,307	$46,087
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $58,000	Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	Venable	-
Best paying industry	Finance	-

Differences between payroll processor and payroll bookkeeper education

There are a few differences between a payroll processor and a payroll bookkeeper in terms of educational background:

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Bookkeeper
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll processor vs payroll bookkeeper demographics

Here are the differences between payroll processors' and payroll bookkeepers' demographics:

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%	Male, 12.8% Female, 87.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll processor and payroll bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Payroll processor example 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.
Process, balance and facilitate the transmission of incoming and outgoing ACH files.
Input hours into PeopleSoft and balance batches for assign pay groups according to establish schedule.

Payroll bookkeeper example responsibilities.

Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
Perform financial management functions including monthly financial statement preparation and bank reconciliations.
Maintain accounts receivable/accounts payable including handling cash and deposits; process reconciliations and financial reports using SchoolFunds.
Process 1099 and W2's.
Process ACH rejections and stop payments.
Post receivables of checks, ACH and credit card payments.

Payroll processor vs payroll bookkeeper skills

Common payroll processor skills

Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 9%
ADP, 5%
Payroll System, 5%
Kronos, 5%
Human Resources, 4%

Common payroll bookkeeper skills

Reconciliations, 9%
General Ledger, 7%
Journal Entries, 5%
Tax Returns, 4%
Bank Reconciliations, 4%
Payroll Processing, 4%