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

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

What industry pays the highest salary for Payroll Specialist?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Payroll Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change A Payroll Specialist's salary?

A Payroll Specialist's salary grows with experience: a Payroll Clerk I (0-1 years)earns $47,306, a Payroll Clerk II (1-3 years)earns $52,880, a Payroll Specialist (3-5 years)earns $59,306, a Payroll Clerk IV (5-7 years)earns $65,214, a Payroll Team Lead (7+ years)earns $92,600,

What are the highest paying states for a Payroll Specialist?

Payroll Specialist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Payroll Specialist roles are District of Columbia $65,326, California $65,078, Massachusetts $64,210. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Payroll Specialist roles make?

Salaries for Payroll Specialist level roles vary by specialization: Lead Payroll Specialist: $101,232; Certified Payroll Specialist: $92,172; Payroll & AP Specialist: $74,625; External Payroll Specialist: $71,800; Outsourced Payroll Specialist: $71,790.

Payroll Specialist Salary in Delaware

How much does a Payroll Specialist make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Specialist in Delaware is $59,750 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,290
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,854 to $65,791
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,486

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Payroll Specialist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,791	$5,483	$1,265	$32
Average	$59,750	$4,979	$1,149	$29
25th Percentile	$53,854	$4,488	$1,036	$26

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Payroll Specialist Salaries

A Payroll Specialist'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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Specialist'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): $47,306
Early Career (1-2 years): $52,880
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,306
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,214
Expert (over 8 years): $92,600

Levels	Salary
Payroll C... Level Payroll Specialist	$47,306
Payroll C... Level Payroll Specialist	$52,880
Payroll S... Level Payroll Specialist	$59,306
Payroll C... Level Payroll Specialist	$65,214
Payroll T... Level Payroll Specialist	$92,600

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $65,326.
California: $65,078.
Massachusetts: $64,210.

District of Columbia $65,326 California $65,078 Massachusetts $64,210 Washington $63,974 New Jersey $63,951 Alaska $63,868 Connecticut $63,054 New York $62,724

Hawaii $61,668 Rhode Island $61,172 Maryland $60,836 Minnesota $60,375 Colorado $60,198 Illinois $60,139 Oregon $59,915 Delaware $59,750

New Hampshire $59,646 Virginia $59,414 Pennsylvania $58,735 Nevada $58,393 North Dakota $58,281 Michigan $58,104 Wisconsin $58,039 Vermont $57,909

Texas $57,549 Maine $57,526 Arizona $57,490 Ohio $57,449 Georgia $56,906 Indiana $56,635 Wyoming $56,582 Utah $56,499

Iowa $56,464 Kansas $56,180 Louisiana $56,098 North Carolina $56,068 Missouri $56,057 Florida $55,826 Montana $55,703 Nebraska $55,585

Kentucky $55,520 South Carolina $55,284 Tennessee $55,136 Idaho $55,077 New Mexico $54,646 Oklahoma $54,552 Alabama $54,204 South Dakota $53,620

Arkansas $53,301 West Virginia $53,130 Mississippi $52,617

Top Paying Cities for Payroll Specialists

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:

Lincoln: $59,481
Little Creek: $59,916
Magnolia: $59,830

Lincoln, DE $59,481 Little Creek, DE $59,916 Magnolia, DE $59,830 Milford, DE $59,632 Marydel, DE $59,730 Millsboro, DE $59,231 Millville, DE $59,323 Milton, DE $59,426

Nassau, DE $59,469 Ocean View, DE $59,313 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,427 Seaford, DE $59,460 Selbyville, DE $59,214 Smyrna, DE $59,958 Viola, DE $59,682 Woodside, DE $59,842

Bear, DE $59,704 Newark, DE $59,682 Claymont, DE $59,804 Delaware City, DE $59,741 Hockessin, DE $59,676 Kirkwood, DE $59,730 Middletown, DE $59,753 Montchanin, DE $59,690

New Castle, DE $59,699 Odessa, DE $59,782 Port Penn, DE $59,823 Rockland, DE $59,696 Saint Georges, DE $59,734 Townsend, DE $59,826 Winterthur, DE $59,703 Lewes, DE $59,449

Wilmington, DE $59,679 Dover, DE $59,916 Dover Afb, DE $59,601 Bethany Beach, DE $59,250 Bethel, DE $59,312 Bridgeville, DE $59,451 Camden Wyoming, DE $59,748 Cheswold, DE $59,897

Clayton, DE $59,899 Dagsboro, DE $59,209 Delmar, DE $59,114 Ellendale, DE $59,293 Felton, DE $59,627 Fenwick Island, DE $59,222 Frankford, DE $59,119 Frederica, DE $59,686

Georgetown, DE $59,187 Greenwood, DE $59,461 Harbeson, DE $59,250 Harrington, DE $59,552 Hartly, DE $59,737 Houston, DE $59,467 Kenton, DE $59,902 Laurel, DE $59,151

Yorklyn, DE $59,694

Payroll Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Payroll Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Payroll Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Payroll Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Payroll Specialist

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$77,675	$37.0	30%
Internet	$74,688	$36.0	25%
Biotechnology	$71,700	$34.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$68,713	$33.0	15%
Pharmaceuticals	$68,713	$33.0	15%

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

Understanding how a Payroll Specialist'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

$53,854

Average $59,750/year

$65,791

$4,488

Average $4,979/month

$5,483

$1,036

Average $1,149/week

$1,265

$26

Average $29/hour

$32

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,791	$5,483	$1,265	$32
Average	$59,750	$4,979	$1,149	$29
25th Percentile	$53,854	$4,488	$1,036	$26

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