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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Processing Clerk I in New Jersey is $49,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.
However, a Payroll Processing Clerk I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Payroll Processing Clerk I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $52,090 | $4,341 | $1,002 | $25 |
| Average | $49,290 | $4,108 | $948 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,690 | $3,724 | $859 | $21 |
Haddad Plumbing & Heating - Newark, NJ
Alloy Silverstein - Cherry Hill, NJ
Bellingham Technical College - BELLINGHAM, WA
MarBorg Industries - SANTA BARBARA, CA
A Payroll Processing Clerk I'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Processing Clerk I'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Processing Clerk I | 0-1 years | $49,250 |
| Accounting Clerk II - Payroll | 1-3 years | $55,058 |
| Accounting Clerk III - Payroll | 3-5 years | $61,751 |
| Accounting Clerk IV - Payroll | 5-7 years | $67,900 |
| Payroll Operations Assistant Supervisor | 7+ years | $96,423 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Payroll Processing Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Payroll Processing Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $55,177. While startup companies pay approximate $46,679.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $46,679 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $49,368 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $53,283 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $55,177 |
For Payroll Processing Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Payroll Processing Clerk positions in MFG Durable or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Payroll Processing Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $59,148 | $28.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $56,683 | $27.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $55,205 | $27.0 | 12% |
| Business Services | $54,219 | $26.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $54,219 | $26.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Payroll Processing Clerk I'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $52,090 | $4,341 | $1,002 | $25 |
| Average | $49,290 | $4,108 | $948 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,690 | $3,724 | $859 | $21 |
For a Payroll Processing Clerk I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Accounting Clerk II - Payroll role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $55,100 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Payroll Processing Clerk I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
The Goodman Group
COUNTY MARKET, MN
The Goodman Group | COUNTY MARKET, MN
The Goodman Group is seeking a Full-time Payroll Specialist to support our real estate and senior living communities. In this role, you will process accura... more
2 Days Ago
Marvin
DEARBORN, MI
Marvin | DEARBORN, MI
Marvin is seeking a Payroll Administrator to support our people-first manufacturing culture by delivering accurate, timely payroll for hourly and salaried ... more
4 Days Ago
Marvin
CASCADE, MI
Marvin | CASCADE, MI
Marvin is seeking a Payroll Administrator to support our people-first manufacturing culture by delivering accurate, timely payroll for hourly and salaried ... more
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The Heartland Team, LLC
NEW YORK CITY, NY
The Heartland Team, LLC | NEW YORK CITY, NY
Looking for something beyond ordinary payroll and human capital management (HCM) solutions. Look no further than Heartland. We are committed to becoming a ... more
1 Day Ago
Atlas Copco
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Atlas Copco | NEW YORK CITY, NY
Location and Compensation • Buffalo, NY * Be part of an exciting journey as we prepare for production at our new facility in the Western New York Science &... more
2 Days Ago
Encompass Health
ENGLEWOOD, CO
Encompass Health | ENGLEWOOD, CO
Encompass Health Littleton Rehabilitation is seeking dedicated Full Time Registered Nurses (RNs) to join our compassionate team. Our facility specializes i... more
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