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Payroll Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Payroll Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Lead in the United States is $86,737 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,560
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,562 to $95,019
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,478
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Payroll Lead Salaries

A Payroll Lead'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 Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Lead'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): $84,952
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,138
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,274
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $95,799
  • Expert (over 8 years): $111,897
Levels Salary
Payroll A... Level Payroll Lead$84,952
Payroll A... Level Payroll Lead$103,138
Payroll L... Level Payroll Lead$89,274
Payroll S... Level Payroll Lead$95,799
Payroll M... Level Payroll Lead$111,897
View as Graph

How Do Payroll Lead 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 Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $96,035.
  • California: $95,671.
  • Massachusetts: $94,396.

Top Paying Cities for Payroll Leads

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: $109,402
  • San Francisco: $108,204
  • Oakland: $105,923

What Skills Can Increase a Payroll Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.39% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Auditing (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): Auditing refers to the independent examination of financial information of any entity whether profit oriented or not. It is a safeguard measure that prevents corruption.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.39%
Data Entry 2.63%
Auditing 0.88%
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 Lead's salary.

  • Legal Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 60%.
  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Accounting and Reporting: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Legal Compliance $138,779
60%
People Management $109,289
26%
Accounting and Reporting $108,421
25%
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Payroll Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Payroll Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Payroll Lead positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Payroll Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Payroll Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$130,106$63.050%

Payroll Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Payroll Lead'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 September 01, 2026
$74,562
Average $86,737/year
$95,019
$6,214
Average $7,228/month
$7,918
$1,434
Average $1,668/week
$1,827
$36
Average $42/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,019 $7,918 $1,827 $46
Average $86,737 $7,228 $1,668 $42
25th Percentile $74,562 $6,214 $1,434 $36

Most common benefits for Payroll Lead

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

Common company salaries for Payroll Lead

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

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FAQ about Payroll Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Payroll Lead?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Payroll Lead roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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