Payroll specialist vs payroll processor

The differences between payroll specialists and payroll processors 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 processor. Additionally, a payroll specialist has an average salary of $46,462, which is higher than the $44,307 average annual salary of a payroll processor.

The top three skills for a payroll specialist include customer service, data entry and payroll data. The most important skills for a payroll processor are customer service, data entry, and ADP.

Payroll specialist vs payroll processor overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Processor
Yearly salary	$46,462	$44,307
Hourly rate	$22.34	$21.30
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	11,795
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
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 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.

Payroll specialist vs payroll processor salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Processor
Average salary	$46,462	$44,307
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	Venable
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll processor education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Processor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs payroll processor demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Processor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll processor 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 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.

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Payroll specialist vs payroll processor skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

Common payroll processor skills

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

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Updated January 8, 2025

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