Payroll processor vs payroll representative

The differences between payroll processors and payroll representatives 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 representative. Additionally, a payroll representative has an average salary of $45,054, 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 representative are data entry, payroll data, and payroll system.

Payroll processor vs payroll representative overview

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Representative
Yearly salary	$44,307	$45,054
Hourly rate	$21.30	$21.66
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	11,795	6,076
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does a payroll processor do?

A payroll processor is an individual who processes the payroll of employees for an organization by validating work hours and attendance of employees. Payroll processors must research for discrepancies in payroll information and documentation before processing them, as well as calculate payroll deductions. They assist payroll processing clerks and other team members with all the processes that are related to payroll. The payroll processor must also edit payroll worksheets for the data entry department as well as audit bonus payments for reporting.

What does a payroll representative do?

A payroll representative typically works in a company's human resources department, where their role focuses on processing payrolls and assisting employees. Although the extent of their duties depends on their company or industry of employment, it often includes answering employee inquiries about salaries and benefits, preparing and processing requests, and resolving issues and concerns. Moreover, a payroll representative is also responsible for tracking employee work hours, updating databases, and maintaining an active communication line with team members for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Payroll processor vs payroll representative salary

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

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Representative
Average salary	$44,307	$45,054
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $58,000	Between $31,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New Jersey
Best paying company	Venable	ABB
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between payroll processor and payroll representative education

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

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll processor vs payroll representative demographics

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

	Payroll Processor	Payroll Representative
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll processor and payroll representative 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 representative example responsibilities.

Initial set up of associates and day to day processes within Kronos
Field and answer employee payroll questions, assisting staff with determining quota balances, union contract terms, and proper timekeeping.
Prepare tax reports and reconciliations.
Provide individual assistance with timekeeping system as needed.
Compile and provide earning statements while utilizing PeopleSoft and excel spreadsheets.
Prepare and analyze payroll management reports for supervisors and managers, utilizing PeopleSoft reporting.

Payroll processor vs payroll representative skills

Common payroll processor skills

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

Common payroll representative skills

Data Entry, 7%
Payroll Data, 7%
Payroll System, 6%
Human Resources, 6%
Kronos, 4%
Customer Service, 4%

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Payroll Processor
Payroll Processor vs Payroll Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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