Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Overview

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks has a national median salary of $58,260 per year, with -15.9% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.
• Prepare and file payroll tax returns.
• Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.

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

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks:

Video Resources