Payroll specialist vs payroll bookkeeper

The differences between payroll specialists 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 specialist and a payroll bookkeeper. Additionally, a payroll specialist has an average salary of $46,462, which is higher than the $46,087 average annual salary of a payroll bookkeeper.

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

Payroll specialist vs payroll bookkeeper overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Bookkeeper
Yearly salary	$46,462	$46,087
Hourly rate	$22.34	$22.16
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	8,176
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Payroll specialist vs payroll bookkeeper salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average salary	$46,462	$46,087
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll bookkeeper education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Bookkeeper
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs payroll bookkeeper demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 12.8% Female, 87.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.5% 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 specialist and payroll bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Payroll specialist example responsibilities.

Manage a bi-weekly payroll in accordance with establish processes, including auditing timekeeping records for compliance with establish standards and policies.
Handle all FMLA, insurance, employee benefits and processing the payroll on bi-weekly bases through the KRONOS timekeeping system.
Utilize KRONOS for timekeeping and to administer security access.
Prepare payroll journal entry and provide guidance in general ledger reconciliations pertaining to payroll general ledger accounts and labor expense distribution
Establish new hires in the KRONOS timekeeping system and provide guidance and assistance to associates to communicate their responsibilities regarding payroll/timekeeping.
Input employee data into Lawson payroll program while using the utmost integrity to keep information confidential.

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 specialist vs payroll bookkeeper skills

Common payroll specialist skills

Customer Service, 13%
Data Entry, 7%
Payroll Data, 5%
Human Resources, 4%
ADP Workforce, 4%
Kronos, 3%

Common payroll bookkeeper skills

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

Payroll Specialist vs. similar jobs

Payroll Specialist related careers

Payroll Specialist related jobs

Payroll Specialist jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Payroll Specialist
Payroll Specialist vs Payroll Bookkeeper

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs