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Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll in the United States is $57,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,890
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,300 to $62,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,110
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salaries

An Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Accounting Clerk I - Payroll (0-1 years): $45,433
  • Accounting Clerk II - Payroll (1-3 years): $50,798
  • Accounting Clerk III - Payroll (3-5 years): $56,978
  • Accounting Clerk IV - Payroll (5-7 years): $62,648
  • Payroll Operations Assistant Supervisor (7+ years): $88,982
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounting Clerk I - Payroll0-1 years$45,433
Accounting Clerk II - Payroll1-3 years$50,798
Accounting Clerk III - Payroll3-5 years$56,978
Accounting Clerk IV - Payroll5-7 years$62,648
Payroll Operations Assistant Supervisor7+ years$88,982
View as Graph

How Do Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Accounting Clerk III - Payrolls. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $63,100.
  • California: $62,900.
  • Massachusetts: $62,100.

Top Paying Cities for Accounting Clerk III - Payrolls

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $71,900
  • San Francisco: $71,100
  • Oakland: $69,600

What Skills Can Increase an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.95% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • HRIS (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): HRIS is a management system designed specifically to provide managers with information to make HR decisions. Is a system that lets you keep track of all your employees and information about them.
  • Workday (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): A cloud-based human resource management software system that unifies a wide range of HR functionality into a single system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.95%
HRIS 2.23%
Workday 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's salary.

  • ADP Workforce Now: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
ADP Workforce Now $60,420
6%
Collaboration $59,850
5%
Leadership $59,850
5%
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Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $63,635. While startup companies pay approximate $53,882.

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,882
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,974
Established 501~5000 $61,444
Enterprise 5000+ $63,635

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting Clerk III - Payroll roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Clerk III - Payroll positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Clerk III - Payroll as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$74,100$36.030%
Internet$71,250$34.025%
Biotechnology$68,400$33.020%
Energy & Utilities$65,550$32.015%
Pharmaceuticals$65,550$32.015%

How Education impacts an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounting Clerk III - Payrolls enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,701 and $64,652).

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 49.0%
Associates 22.4%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 1.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$51,300
Average $57,000/year
$62,700
$4,275
Average $4,750/month
$5,225
$987
Average $1,096/week
$1,206
$25
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,700 $5,225 $1,206 $30
Average $57,000 $4,750 $1,096 $27
25th Percentile $51,300 $4,275 $987 $25

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll Salary Growth & Career Path

Accounting Clerk III - Payroll

Next Role

Advancement

For an Accounting Clerk III - Payroll, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Accounting Clerk IV - Payroll role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $62,700 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll

Here are companies hiring for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Accounting Clerk III - Payroll

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting Clerk III - Payroll roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Is accounting clerk an entry-level job?

Yes, an accounting clerk position is typically considered entry-level. With a postsecondary education, graduates can qualify for these roles, which generally offer salaries ranging from $57,900 to $72,500, with a mid-salary of $65,000. This makes it an accessible starting point for those entering the accounting field.

3. What level is a payroll clerk?

A payroll clerk typically starts at an entry-level position, requiring a high school diploma or GED. While advanced qualifications like a certificate or associate degree in accounting or finance can be beneficial, they are not always necessary. Salaries for payroll clerks range from $57,900 to $72,500, with a median salary of $65,000.

4. What is the highest salary for an accounting clerk?

The highest salary for an Accounting Clerk is $72,500. This figure represents the maximum salary in the salary range, which includes a minimum of $57,900 and a midpoint of $65,000. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and specific job responsibilities.

5. What is another title for a payroll clerk?

Another title for a Payroll Clerk is a Payroll Specialist or a Payroll Administrator. The salary for this position typically ranges from $57,900 to $72,500, with a median salary of $65,000.

6. How much do payroll accountants make in the US?

As of now, Payroll Accountants in the US earn between $57,900 and $72,500 annually, with a median salary of $65,000. This translates to approximately $27.84 to $34.86 per hour, or about $1,115 to $1,354 per week. The average annual pay aligns closely with the mid-salary figure, reflecting the typical earnings in this role.

7. What is the difference between accountant I and accountant III?

Accountant I is the entry-level position, typically earning between $57,900 and $65,000. Accountant II is the first-level supervisory role, while Accountant III, the second-level supervisory position, has a salary range of $65,000 to $72,500. Each level reflects increased responsibility and experience within the accounting field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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