Payroll specialist vs timekeeper

The differences between payroll specialists and timekeepers 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 timekeeper. Additionally, a payroll specialist has an average salary of $46,462, which is higher than the $46,290 average annual salary of a timekeeper.

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

Payroll specialist vs timekeeper overview

	Payroll Specialist	Timekeeper
Yearly salary	$46,462	$46,290
Hourly rate	$22.34	$22.25
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,609	754
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
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 timekeeper do?

A Timekeeper works in various industries and organizations and is typically hired as the acting liaison between payroll coordinators and employees. This is to make sure the pay distribution process runs smoothly. As a timekeeper, you will be required to maintain an accurate track of the total number of hours worked for payroll purposes. This involves compiling payroll data from timesheets, computing wages, including the removal of taxes and social security withholding, and putting it into the computer system.

Payroll specialist vs timekeeper salary

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

	Payroll Specialist	Timekeeper
Average salary	$46,462	$46,290
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $61,000	Between $30,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	Cambridge Associates	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between payroll specialist and timekeeper education

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

	Payroll Specialist	Timekeeper
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll specialist vs timekeeper demographics

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

	Payroll Specialist	Timekeeper
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%	Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll specialist and timekeeper 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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Timekeeper example responsibilities.

Perform data entry, produce and analyze reports while utilizing standard payroll and timekeeping systems.
Input time for employees into CCM.
Verify and print pay stubs through JDE.
Coordinate FMLA, disabilities and leave of absences.
Time keeping and entering PTO to submit on weekly basis
Train new CCM vendors when onboarding on allocations, balancing and the exception process.

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Payroll specialist vs timekeeper skills

Common payroll specialist skills

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

Common timekeeper skills

Timekeeping, 21%
Data Entry, 14%
Human Resources, 8%
Per Diem, 7%
Kronos, 7%
Turnaround, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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