What are the main factors that influence a Payroll Accountant's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Payroll Accountant's salary?

A Payroll Accountant's salary grows with experience: an Payroll Accountant (0-2 years)earns $69,773, an Accountant II (2-4 years)earns $81,111, an Accountant III (4-7 years)earns $93,999, an Accountant IV (7+ years)earns $112,025, an Accountant V (7-10 years)earns $157,982,

What are the highest paying states for a Payroll Accountant?

Payroll Accountant salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Payroll Accountant roles are District of Columbia $70,184, California $69,918, Massachusetts $68,986. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Payroll Accountant roles make?

Salaries for Payroll Accountant level roles vary by specialization: Payroll Director: $160,455; Accountant/Payroll Manager: $114,969; Payroll Manager: $111,502; Payroll Supervisor: $95,470; Payroll Tax Accountant: $84,494.

Payroll Accountant Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Payroll Accountant make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Accountant in District of Columbia is $70,184 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,857
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,274 to $75,770
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,893

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Payroll Accountant Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$75,770	$6,314	$1,457	$36
Average	$70,184	$5,849	$1,350	$34
25th Percentile	$64,274	$5,356	$1,236	$31

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Key Factors That Influence Payroll Accountant Salaries

A Payroll Accountant'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 Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Accountant'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): $69,773
Early Career (1-2 years): $81,111
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $93,999
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $112,025
Expert (over 8 years): $157,982

Levels	Salary
Payroll A... Level Payroll Accountant	$69,773
Accountan... Level Payroll Accountant	$81,111
Accountan... Level Payroll Accountant	$93,999
Accountan... Level Payroll Accountant	$112,025
Accountan... Level Payroll Accountant	$157,982

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How Do Payroll Accountant 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 Accountants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $70,184.
California: $69,918.
Massachusetts: $68,986.

District of Columbia $70,184 California $69,918 Massachusetts $68,986 Washington $68,732 New Jersey $68,707 Alaska $68,618 Connecticut $67,744 New York $67,389

Hawaii $66,254 Rhode Island $65,721 Maryland $65,360 Minnesota $64,866 Colorado $64,675 Illinois $64,612 Oregon $64,371 Delaware $64,194

New Hampshire $64,082 Virginia $63,832 Pennsylvania $63,103 Nevada $62,736 North Dakota $62,615 Michigan $62,425 Wisconsin $62,355 Vermont $62,216

Texas $61,829 Maine $61,804 Arizona $61,766 Ohio $61,722 Georgia $61,138 Indiana $60,847 Wyoming $60,790 Utah $60,701

Iowa $60,663 Kansas $60,359 Louisiana $60,270 North Carolina $60,238 Missouri $60,226 Florida $59,978 Montana $59,845 Nebraska $59,718

Kentucky $59,649 South Carolina $59,395 Tennessee $59,237 Idaho $59,173 New Mexico $58,711 Oklahoma $58,609 Alabama $58,235 South Dakota $57,608

Arkansas $57,265 West Virginia $57,082 Mississippi $56,530

Top Paying Cities for Payroll Accountants

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:

Parcel Return Service: $70,184
Washington: $70,184
Naval Anacost Annex: $70,184

Parcel Return Service, DC $70,184 Washington, DC $70,184 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $70,184 Washington Navy Yard, DC $70,184

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

Understanding how a Payroll Accountant'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 January 01, 2026

$64,274

Average $70,184/year

$75,770

$5,356

Average $5,849/month

$6,314

$1,236

Average $1,350/week

$1,457

$31

Average $34/hour

$36

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$75,770	$6,314	$1,457	$36
Average	$70,184	$5,849	$1,350	$34
25th Percentile	$64,274	$5,356	$1,236	$31

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