Payroll specialist vs payroll clerk

The differences between payroll specialists and payroll clerks 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 clerk. Additionally, a payroll specialist has an average salary of $46,462, which is higher than the $41,602 average annual salary of a payroll clerk.

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

Payroll specialist vs payroll clerk overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Clerk
Yearly salary	$46,462	$41,602
Hourly rate	$22.34	$20.00
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	71,944
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does a payroll specialist do?

It is the primary duty of a payroll specialist to process payroll and maintain an accurate record of the personnel database and ensure employees are paid on time. Payroll specialists are in charge of addressing and resolving employee complaints regarding wages. Also, they manage the company's budget and expenses and prepare reports for the relevant departments. Those with a bachelor's degree in business or accounting are preferred to get the job. Candidates with related job experience and strong knowledge of tax, wage laws, and a good understanding of standard fiscal procedures are highly qualified for the position.

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.

Payroll specialist vs payroll clerk salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Clerk
Average salary	$46,462	$41,602
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Connecticut
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	MDU Resources
Best paying industry	Technology	Government

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll clerk education

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

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

Payroll specialist vs payroll clerk demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Clerk
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 12.4% Female, 87.6%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll clerk 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.

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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 specialist vs payroll clerk skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

Common payroll clerk skills

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

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Updated January 8, 2025

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