Money · 1 of 5
What payroll pays
Median
$58,260
Bottom tenth
$39,500
Top tenth
$81,350
The federal wage survey calls this occupation Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks, which is a broader and more junior title than payroll administrator. The national median is $58,260 a year and the bottom tenth earn $39,500 or less. Payroll managers are counted somewhere else.