Payroll specialist vs payroll manager

The differences between payroll specialists and payroll managers 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 manager. Additionally, a payroll manager has an average salary of $86,147, which is higher than the $46,462 average annual salary of a payroll specialist.

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

Payroll specialist vs payroll manager overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Manager
Yearly salary	$46,462	$86,147
Hourly rate	$22.34	$41.42
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	6,972
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 manager do?

A payroll manager is responsible for monitoring the payment process of all employees. Payroll managers oversee payroll records, reviewing calculable taxes and other deductions, creating a comprehensive summary of payroll details, managing payroll discrepancies, and releasing payroll checks through the organization's payment method. They must also follow strict procedures on legal requirements and tax obligations. A payroll manager must have excellent analytical and communication skills, especially on responding to the employees' inquiries and concerns, as well as managing the performance of the payroll staff.

Payroll specialist vs payroll manager salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Manager
Average salary	$46,462	$86,147
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $63,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	California
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	Ep Energy
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll manager education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs payroll manager demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 22.0% Female, 78.0%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll manager 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.

Show more

Payroll manager example responsibilities.

Manage accounting and finance operations including A/R, A/P and general accounting, etc.
Manage annual W2 reconciliation and distribution.
Manage expatriates compensation packages and taxation.
Coordinate department conversion of manual payroll system to KRONOS automate time and attendance system.
Save the company $5,500 by learning ADP and creating payroll accruals and profiles to accurately record employee PTO time profiles.
Process payroll utilizing ADP payroll system

Show more

Payroll specialist vs payroll manager skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

Common payroll manager skills

Customer Service, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll System, 5%
Payroll Tax, 5%
HRIS, 4%
Reconciliations, 4%

Payroll Specialist vs. similar jobs

Payroll Specialist related careers

Payroll Specialist related jobs

Payroll Specialist jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z