Senior Payroll Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Payroll Analyst make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Payroll Analyst in the United States is $75,410 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,712
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,781 to $82,372
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,746
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,781 10% $62,746 90% $88,712 75% $82,372 $75,410 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Payroll Analyst Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,372 $6,864 $1,584 $40
Average $75,410 $6,284 $1,450 $36
25th Percentile $68,781 $5,732 $1,323 $33
Check out Senior Payroll Analyst Job Openings in the United States
Management Analyst, Senior

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Senior Product Lifecycle Management Analyst

Bowhead / UIC Technical Services - BEDFORD, IN

Senior Analyst with Security Clearance

TekSynap - WASHINGTON, DC

Sr Systems Analyst with Security Clearance

Honu Services - WASHINGTON, DC

Search More Senior Payroll Analyst Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Senior Payroll Analyst Salaries

A Senior Payroll Analyst'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Payroll Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Payroll Analyst'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): $64,000
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,898
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,654
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $105,177
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,031
Levels Salary
Payroll A... Level Senior Payroll Analyst$64,000
Senior Pa... Level Senior Payroll Analyst$74,898
Payroll A... Level Senior Payroll Analyst$86,654
Payroll A... Level Senior Payroll Analyst$105,177
Payroll T... Level Senior Payroll Analyst$91,031
$64,000 0 yr
$74,898 < 2 yrs
$86,654 2-4 yrs
$105,177 5-8 yrs
$91,031 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Payroll Analysts

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: $95,114
  • San Francisco: $94,179
  • Oakland: $92,090

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Payroll Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.71% 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.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Child Support (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Is a designed to maintain a child's living standard and ensure all their basic needs are covered. The money can be used to pay for necessities like: Shelter and utilities of the child's primary home to ensure they're living in a safe environment.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.71%
Data Entry 2.43%
Child Support 1.19%
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 Senior Payroll Analyst's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • PeopleSoft: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$79,180
5%
PeopleSoft
$78,426
4%
Collaboration
$78,426
4%
Process Improvement
$78,426
4%
Workday
$78,426
4%
Flexibility
$77,672
3%
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How Education impacts a Senior Payroll Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Payroll Analysts enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Senior Payroll Analyst with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $68,921 and $73,107).

Senior Payroll Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Payroll Analyst
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 39.6%
Associates 21.9%
Bachelors 32.8%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.1%
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Senior Payroll Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Payroll Analyst'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 February 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Senior Payroll Analyst

Salaries for a Senior Payroll Analyst can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $62,718 in 2023 to around $62,833 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Payroll Analyst salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Payroll Analyst Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,718
2024
$63,067
2025
$62,833
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,718
2024 $63,067
2025 $62,833
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Payroll Analyst

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Payroll Analyst

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Payroll Analyst job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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