Payroll specialist vs payroll supervisor

The differences between payroll specialists and payroll supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a payroll supervisor has an average salary of $64,422, 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 supervisor are customer service, payroll system, and payroll tax.

Payroll specialist vs payroll supervisor overview

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Supervisor
Yearly salary	$46,462	$64,422
Hourly rate	$22.34	$30.97
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	6,668
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 supervisor do?

A payroll supervisor ensures employee salaries are released in a timely manner and accounts for all payrolls and cash released by the company. The payroll supervisor organizes all financial transactions and generates reports for accounting. This position ensures employees are paid accurately and calculates all deductibles such as insurance, child support, taxes, and payroll adjustments. The payroll supervisor must have accounting and bookkeeping skills and has pertinent experience in relevant fields of study.

Payroll specialist vs payroll supervisor salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Supervisor
Average salary	$46,462	$64,422
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $46,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	eBay
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll supervisor education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Supervisor
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 supervisor demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Payroll Supervisor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 21.3% Female, 78.7%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll specialist and payroll supervisor 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 supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage the administration and processing of KRONOS time reporting system.
Manage installation of automate timekeeping systems in facilities, ensuring accurate, timely processing of time and attendance information.
Act as the HRIS backup running queries and reports as scheduled and upon request via PeopleSoft for management and key stakeholders.
Create journal entries and account reconciliations for key benefit programs and maintain account reconciliations of liability accounts.
Assist in implementing new PTO plan, work with ADP to interface system.
Check all new hire information, ensuring accuracy of information complete in KRONOS system.

Payroll specialist vs payroll supervisor skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

Common payroll supervisor skills

Customer Service, 9%
Payroll System, 6%
Payroll Tax, 5%
Reconciliations, 5%
Human Resources, 4%
Process Payroll, 4%

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Payroll Specialist
Payroll Specialist vs Payroll Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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