Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California
Considering working as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California? Here’s what the data says. Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees’ time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks. Excludes “Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks” (43-3031).
What do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Make in California?
For a payroll and timekeeping clerks working in California, wages run about $61,670 per year (or about $29.65/hour).Annual wages span from $35,600 at the 10th percentile to $88,140 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| 25th percentile | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Median (50th) | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 75th percentile | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| 90th percentile | $88,140 | $42.38 |
The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 1.26, meaning that payroll and timekeeping clerks are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, payroll and timekeeping clerks earn a median of $62,520 per year ($30.06/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 229,022 payroll and timekeeping clerks nationwide. In California alone, around 23,180 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,700 payroll and timekeeping clerks.
Top California Metros for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
The largest metro-area employers of payroll and timekeeping clerks in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,380 | $59,420 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,590 | $78,180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,980 | $63,090 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,690 | $60,080 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,630 | $63,380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 990 | $80,150 |
| Fresno, CA | 720 | $55,250 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 530 | $53,110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 370 | $58,190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 350 | $56,430 |
| Visalia, CA | 320 | $53,060 |
| Modesto, CA | 310 | $58,190 |
| Salinas, CA | 310 | $58,060 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 240 | $62,400 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 230 | $58,520 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 140 | $62,190 |
| Vallejo, CA | 140 | $64,700 |
| Merced, CA | 120 | $56,430 |
| Napa, CA | 120 | $67,250 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 120 | $60,560 |
| El Centro, CA | 110 | $55,940 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 100 | $59,300 |
| Chico, CA | 80 | $57,680 |
| Redding, CA | 80 | $58,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | 60 | $58,480 |
Top States for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Employment
These states have the highest employment of payroll and timekeeping clerks work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 23,180 |
| Texas | 14,130 |
| Florida | 10,060 |
| New York | 9,040 |
| Illinois | 6,060 |
| Ohio | 5,690 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,630 |
| Georgia | 4,740 |
| New Jersey | 4,350 |
| Indiana | 4,120 |
| Michigan | 3,920 |
| Washington | 3,880 |
| Arizona | 3,670 |
| North Carolina | 3,620 |
| Massachusetts | 3,470 |
| Tennessee | 3,240 |
| Missouri | 3,190 |
| Wisconsin | 2,910 |
| Virginia | 2,850 |
| Oklahoma | 2,840 |
Highest-Paying States for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
These states pay the most for payroll and timekeeping clerks.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $69,210 |
| Washington | $62,310 |
| California | $61,670 |
| Minnesota | $60,780 |
| Connecticut | $60,720 |
| New Hampshire | $60,670 |
| New York | $60,600 |
| Massachusetts | $60,260 |
| Illinois | $60,060 |
| New Jersey | $59,920 |
Skills
The most important payroll and timekeeping clerks skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for payroll and timekeeping clerks, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks typically:
- Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
- Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
- Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
- Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
- Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
- Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
- Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.
- Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
- Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
- Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
- Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
- Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Getting Information
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks, Kronos Workforce Timekeeper In-demand technologies: Accounting software, ADP Workforce Now
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Accounting
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like payroll and timekeeping clerks include:
- Financial Managers
- Treasurers and Controllers
- Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Human Resources Specialists
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Accountants and Auditors
Also Known As
Accounting Assistant, Attendance Clerk, Bonus Clerk, Checkman, Commissions Clerk, Finance Specialist, Flight Crew Scheduler, Flight Crew Time Clerk, HR and Payroll Admin (Human Resources and Payroll Administrator), Human Resources Administrative Assistant (HR Administrative Assistant), Human Resources Coordinator (HR Coordinator), Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist), Payroll Administrator (Payroll Admin), Payroll Analyst, Payroll Assistant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-3051.00
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