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Payroll Clerk

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AVG. SALARY

$42,830

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

What They Do

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Career Video

About This Career

Compiles and records employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster Business Finance and Accounting pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Verifies attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and posts information onto designated records.
  • Processes and issues employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
  • Computes wages and deductions, and enters data into computers.
  • Processes paperwork for new employees and enters employee information into the payroll system.
  • Prepares and balances period-end reports, and reconciles issued payrolls to bank statements.
  • Distributes and collects timecards each pay period.
  • Reviews time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
  • Issues and records adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
  • Records employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
  • Keeps track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Personnel Assistant
  • Personnel Technician
  • Timekeeper
  • Human Resources Assistant (HR Assistant)
  • Payroll Assistant
  • Payroll Coordinator
  • Payroll Representative
  • Payroll Specialist
  • Payroll Technician