What are the main factors that influence an External Payroll Manager's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for External Payroll Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for External Payroll Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change An External Payroll Manager's salary?

An External Payroll Manager's salary grows with experience: starting around $144,444 for beginners, reaching about $145,478 at mid-level, and approach $150,357 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for an External Payroll Manager?

External Payroll Manager salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for External Payroll Manager roles are District of Columbia $155,100, California $154,500, Massachusetts $152,500. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of External Payroll Manager roles make?

Salaries for External Payroll Manager level roles vary by specialization: External Affairs Manager: $148,064; Manager External Manufacturing: $140,523; Payroll Services Manager: $140,068; Manager, External Reporting: $129,828; External Audit Manager: $123,385.

External Payroll Manager Salary in Hawaii

How much does an External Payroll Manager make in Hawaii?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an External Payroll Manager in Hawaii is $146,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.

However, an External Payroll Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $176,012
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,100 to $161,900
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $136,275

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External Payroll Manager Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$161,900	$13,492	$3,113	$78
Average	$146,400	$12,200	$2,815	$70
25th Percentile	$141,100	$11,758	$2,713	$68

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Check out External Payroll Manager Job Openings in Hawaii

Accountant Payroll Coordinator

Referentia Systems Incorporated - Honolulu, HI

HR&amp Payroll Specialist

The Hawaii Group - Honolulu, HI

Payroll Specialist

ProService Hawaii - Honolulu, HI

HR Generalist

Hoosier Hills Credit Union - HELTONVILLE, IN

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Key Factors That Influence External Payroll Manager Salaries

An External Payroll Manager'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects External Payroll Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an External Payroll Manager'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $144,444
Early Career (1-2 years): $144,682
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $145,478
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,433
Expert (over 8 years): $150,357

Levels	Salary
Entry Level External Payroll Manager	$144,444
Intermediate Level External Payroll Manager	$144,682
Senior Level External Payroll Manager	$145,478
Specialist Level External Payroll Manager	$146,433
Expert Level External Payroll Manager	$150,357

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What Am I Worth?

How Do External Payroll Manager 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 External Payroll Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $155,100.
California: $154,500.
Massachusetts: $152,500.

District of Columbia $155,100 California $154,500 Massachusetts $152,500 Washington $151,900 New Jersey $151,900 Alaska $151,700 Connecticut $149,700 New York $149,000

Hawaii $146,400 Rhode Island $145,300 Maryland $144,500 Minnesota $143,400 Colorado $143,000 Illinois $142,800 Oregon $142,300 Delaware $141,900

New Hampshire $141,700 Virginia $141,100 Pennsylvania $139,500 Nevada $138,700 North Dakota $138,400 Michigan $138,000 Wisconsin $137,800 Vermont $137,500

Texas $136,700 Maine $136,600 Arizona $136,500 Ohio $136,400 Georgia $135,100 Indiana $134,500 Wyoming $134,400 Utah $134,200

Iowa $134,100 Kansas $133,400 Louisiana $133,200 North Carolina $133,200 Missouri $133,100 Florida $132,600 Montana $132,300 Nebraska $132,000

Kentucky $131,900 South Carolina $131,300 Tennessee $130,900 Idaho $130,800 New Mexico $129,800 Oklahoma $129,600 Alabama $128,700 South Dakota $127,300

Arkansas $126,600 West Virginia $126,200 Mississippi $125,000

Top Paying Cities for External Payroll Managers

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:

Aiea: $145,700
Anahola: $143,700
Captain Cook: $143,600

Aiea, HI $145,700 Anahola, HI $143,700 Captain Cook, HI $143,600 Eleele, HI $144,000 Ewa Beach, HI $145,500 Kapolei, HI $145,400 Haiku, HI $143,900 Hakalau, HI $143,500

Haleiwa, HI $145,100 Hana, HI $143,500 Hanalei, HI $143,600 Hanamaulu, HI $143,900 Hanapepe, HI $144,000 Hauula, HI $145,400 Hawaii National Park, HI $143,700 Hawi, HI $143,900

Hilo, HI $143,800 Princeville, HI $143,800 Holualoa, HI $143,700 Honaunau, HI $143,400 Honokaa, HI $143,600 Honomu, HI $143,800 Hoolehua, HI $143,400 Kaaawa, HI $145,400

Kahuku, HI $145,100 Kahului, HI $144,200 Kailua, HI $145,600 Ocean View, HI $143,800 Waikoloa, HI $143,800 Keauhou, HI $143,700 Kailua Kona, HI $143,800 Kalaheo, HI $143,900

Kalaupapa, HI $143,300 Kamuela, HI $143,700 Kaneohe, HI $145,600 Kapaa, HI $144,000 Kaumakani, HI $144,100 Kaunakakai, HI $143,600 Keaau, HI $143,900 Kealakekua, HI $143,900

Kealia, HI $143,900 Kekaha, HI $143,800 Kihei, HI $144,000 Kilauea, HI $143,800 Kapaau, HI $143,700 Koloa, HI $143,900 Kualapuu, HI $143,500 Kunia, HI $145,400

Kurtistown, HI $143,900 Lahaina, HI $143,900 Laie, HI $145,200 Lanai City, HI $143,500 Laupahoehoe, HI $143,900 Lawai, HI $144,100 Lihue, HI $143,900 Makawao, HI $144,000

Makaweli, HI $143,500 Maunaloa, HI $143,200 Mountain View, HI $143,800 Naalehu, HI $143,500 Ninole, HI $143,400 Ookala, HI $143,400 Paauilo, HI $143,600 Pahala, HI $143,500

Pahoa, HI $143,700 Paia, HI $143,900 Papaaloa, HI $143,900 Papaikou, HI $143,600 Pearl City, HI $145,600 Pepeekeo, HI $143,900 Puunene, HI $144,200 Volcano, HI $143,700

Wahiawa, HI $145,300 Pukalani, HI $144,000 Mililani, HI $145,500 Kula, HI $143,700 Waialua, HI $145,100 Waianae, HI $145,200 Wailuku, HI $144,000 Waimanalo, HI $145,600

Waimea, HI $144,100 Waipahu, HI $145,500 Honolulu, HI $145,700 J B P H H, HI $145,700 Wheeler Army Airfield, HI $145,400 Schofield Barracks, HI $145,300 Fort Shafter, HI $145,700 Tripler Army Medical Center, HI $145,700

Camp H M Smith, HI $145,700 M C B H Kaneohe Bay, HI $145,500 Wake Island, HI $145,700

External Payroll Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

External Payroll Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $163,747. While startup companies pay approximate $138,481.

External Payroll Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$138,481
Growth Stage	51~500	$146,466
Established	501~5000	$158,129
Enterprise	5000+	$163,747

External Payroll Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For External Payroll Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, External Payroll Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view External Payroll Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an External Payroll Manager

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$175,680	$84.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$168,360	$81.0	15%
Chemicals	$161,040	$77.0	10%
Insurance	$161,040	$77.0	10%
Software & Networking	$161,040	$77.0	10%

External Payroll Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an External Payroll Manager'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 July 01, 2026

$141,100

Average $146,400/year

$161,900

$11,758

Average $12,200/month

$13,492

$2,713

Average $2,815/week

$3,113

$68

Average $70/hour

$78

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$161,900	$13,492	$3,113	$78
Average	$146,400	$12,200	$2,815	$70
25th Percentile	$141,100	$11,758	$2,713	$68

External Payroll Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

External Payroll Manager

Business Process Advising Senior Manager

Business Process Advising Director

For an External Payroll Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Business Process Advising Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $193,000 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

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