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Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounts Payable Clerk I make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Clerk I in the United States is $44,857 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, an Accounts Payable Clerk I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,381
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,539 to $48,272
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,518
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,539 10% $38,518 90% $51,381 75% $48,272 $44,857 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Accounts Payable Clerk I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $48,272 $4,023 $928 $23
Average $44,857 $3,738 $863 $22
25th Percentile $41,539 $3,462 $799 $20
Check out Accounts Payable Clerk I Job Openings in the United States
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Tarkett - Solon, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Accounts Payable Clerk I Salaries

An Accounts Payable 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.

How Experience Level Affects Accounts Payable Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounts Payable 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:

  • Accounts Payable Clerk I (0-1 years): $44,857
  • Accounts Payable Clerk II (1-3 years): $50,151
  • Accounts Payable Clerk III (3-5 years): $55,590
  • Accounts Payable Supervisor (5+ years): $73,033
  • Accounts Payable Senior Supervisor (5+ years): $89,344
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounts Payable Clerk I0-1 years$44,857
Accounts Payable Clerk II1-3 years$50,151
Accounts Payable Clerk III3-5 years$55,590
Accounts Payable Supervisor5+ years$73,033
Accounts Payable Senior Supervisor5+ years$89,344
$44,857 Accounts ...
$50,151 Accounts ...
$55,590 Accounts ...
$73,033 Accounts ...
$89,344 Accounts ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Accounts Payable Clerk Is

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: $56,578
  • San Francisco: $55,959
  • Oakland: $54,779

What Skills Can Increase an Accounts Payable Clerk I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.27% 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.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.27%
General Ledger 2.07%
Accounting Software 1.14%
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 Accounts Payable Clerk I's salary.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Presentation
$56,520
26%
Analysis
$51,586
15%
Collaboration
$50,240
12%
Hard Working
$48,894
9%
Critical Thinking
$47,100
5%
Commitment
$46,651
4%
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Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounts Payable Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $50,172. While startup companies pay approximate $42,431.

Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$42,431
Growth Stage51~500$44,877
Established501~5000$48,451
Enterprise5000+$50,172

Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounts Payable Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Accounts Payable Clerk positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounts Payable Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounts Payable Clerk I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,800$30.040%
Software & Networking$49,343$24.010%
Energy & Utilities$48,446$23.08%
Aerospace & Defense$47,997$23.07%
Biotechnology$47,100$23.05%

Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounts Payable 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Accounts Payable Clerk I Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Accounts Payable Clerk I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Accounts Payable Clerk II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $50,151 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Accounts Payable Clerk I

Salaries for an Accounts Payable Clerk I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $43,220 in 2023 to around $42,224 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Accounts Payable Clerk I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Accounts Payable Clerk I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$43,220
2024
$42,493
2025
$42,224
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $43,220
2024 $42,493
2025 $42,224
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Accounts Payable Clerk I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Accounts Payable Clerk I

Here are companies hiring for Accounts Payable Clerk I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accounts Payable Clerk I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Accounts Payable Clerk I

1. Where can an Accounts Payable Clerk I earn the most?

An Accounts Payable Clerk I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Accounts Payable Clerk I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Accounts Payable Clerk I is $56,578.

2. What is the highest pay for Accounts Payable Clerk I?

The highest pay for Accounts Payable Clerk I is $51,381.

3. What is the lowest pay for Accounts Payable Clerk I?

The lowest pay for Accounts Payable Clerk I is $38,518.

4. What are the responsibilities of Accounts Payable Clerk I?

Supports the day-to-day operational activities of an accounts payable department. Reviews purchase orders, statements, and invoices to verify amounts owed. Records and processes payments for vendor invoices in accordance with internal accounting policies and oversees payment schedules. Maintains and reconciles accounts payable ledger to validate charges and ensure accurate and timely payments. Responds to vendor inquiries and assists with the research of any discrepancies in billings and payments. May utilize accounting software and systems to manage invoices and payments. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounts Payable Clerk I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounts Payable Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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