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Payroll Administrator III Salary in the United States

How much does a Payroll Administrator III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Administrator III in the United States is $84,657 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,992
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,540 to $91,637
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,060
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Payroll Administrator III Salaries

A Payroll Administrator III'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 Payroll Administrator III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Administrator III'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:

  • Payroll Administrator I (0-2 years): $62,503
  • Payroll Administrator II (2-4 years): $73,172
  • Payroll Administrator III (4-7 years): $84,657
  • Payroll Administrator IV (7+ years): $102,777
  • Payroll Team Lead (7+ years): $88,959
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Payroll Administrator I0-2 years$62,503
Payroll Administrator II2-4 years$73,172
Payroll Administrator III4-7 years$84,657
Payroll Administrator IV7+ years$102,777
Payroll Team Lead7+ years$88,959
View as Graph

How Do Payroll Administrator IIIs 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 Payroll Administrator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $93,732.
  • California: $93,377.
  • Massachusetts: $92,132.

Top Paying Cities for Payroll Administrator III

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: $106,778
  • San Francisco: $105,609
  • Oakland: $103,383

What Skills Can Increase a Payroll Administrator III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.25% 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 2.28% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.25%
General Ledger 2.28%
Microsoft Excel 1.28%
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 a Payroll Administrator III's salary.

  • Workday: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Workday $90,583
7%
Process Improvement $88,890
5%
Initiative $88,890
5%
Get Latest Data

Payroll Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Payroll Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,769. While startup companies pay approximate $80,172.

Payroll Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $80,172
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,791
Established 501~5000 $91,516
Enterprise 5000+ $94,769

Payroll Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Payroll Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Payroll Administrator positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Payroll Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Payroll Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$93,123$45.010%
Energy & Utilities$93,123$45.010%
Financial Services$93,123$45.010%
Internet$93,123$45.010%
Pharmaceuticals$93,123$45.010%

Payroll Administrator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Payroll Administrator III'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 August 01, 2026
$77,540
Average $84,657/year
$91,637
$6,462
Average $7,055/month
$7,636
$1,491
Average $1,628/week
$1,762
$37
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,637 $7,636 $1,762 $44
Average $84,657 $7,055 $1,628 $41
25th Percentile $77,540 $6,462 $1,491 $37

Payroll Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Payroll Administrator III

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Advancement

For a Payroll Administrator III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Payroll Administrator IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $102,777 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Payroll Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for Payroll Administrator III

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

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FAQ about Payroll Administrator III

1. Where can a Payroll Administrator III earn the most?

A Payroll Administrator III'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, a Payroll Administrator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Payroll Administrator III is $106,778.

2. What is the highest pay for Payroll Administrator III?

The highest pay for Payroll Administrator III is $97,992.

3. What is the lowest pay for Payroll Administrator III?

The lowest pay for Payroll Administrator III is $71,060.

4. What are the responsibilities of Payroll Administrator III?

Responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system. Reviews the computation of pay and associated deductions for accuracy. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of city, state, provincial, local, and federal legislation affecting payroll; understands and follows applicable provisions. Prepares required tax filings and other reporting. May coordinate payroll processing with an outside service provider. Responds to and resolves any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting. Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly. Requires an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Payroll Administrator III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Payroll Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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