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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Lead in Iowa is $82,992 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Payroll Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Payroll Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $90,919 | $7,577 | $1,748 | $44 |
| Average | $82,992 | $6,916 | $1,596 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,321 | $5,943 | $1,372 | $34 |
The Reserves Network Inc - Des Moines, IA
Marvin - Blackhawk Village, IA
Marvin - Bettendorf, IA
Marvin - South Des Moines, IA
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.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Payroll A... Level Payroll Lead | $81,292 |
| Payroll A... Level Payroll Lead | $98,692 |
| Payroll L... Level Payroll Lead | $85,423 |
| Payroll S... Level Payroll Lead | $91,679 |
| Payroll M... Level Payroll Lead | $107,084 |
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 Leads. 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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $124,488 | $60.0 | 50% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $90,919 | $7,577 | $1,748 | $44 |
| Average | $82,992 | $6,916 | $1,596 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,321 | $5,943 | $1,372 | $34 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Payroll Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Baker Group
Ankeny, IA
Baker Group | Ankeny, IA
Job Description. Job Description. New Opportunity Alert. Be a Key Player in Our Growing Payroll Team. Location. On-site in Ankeny, IA. We’re expanding, and... more
7 Days Ago
UnityPoint Health
West Des Moines, IA
UnityPoint Health | West Des Moines, IA
Payroll SpecialistThis position is for a Payroll Specialist. The job attributes include employment type, experience level, profession/job, qualifications, ... more
8 Days Ago
Mom's Meals
Ankeny, IA
Mom's Meals | Ankeny, IA
Payroll ProcessorWe are seeking a detail-driven Payroll Processor with 24 years of hands-on payroll processing experience to manage end-to-end payroll exec... more
8 Days Ago
Wright Service Corp.
West Des Moines, IA
Wright Service Corp. | West Des Moines, IA
Payroll SpecialistThis role offers a hybrid work schedule. Please note that the training period is fully in-office to ensure proper support and onboarding.... more
8 Days Ago
Clarke County Public Hospital
Osceola, IA
Clarke County Public Hospital | Osceola, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Payroll. Process biweekly payroll and maintain accurate employee payroll records. Ensure compliance with federal and Iowa... more
8 Days Ago
WesleyLife
Johnston, IA
WesleyLife | Johnston, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all team me... more
9 Days Ago
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