Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Accountant/Payroll Administrator make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant/Payroll Administrator in the United States is $74,102 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,760
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,845 to $81,251
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,148
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,845 10% $62,148 90% $87,760 75% $81,251 $74,102 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,251 $6,771 $1,563 $39
Average $74,102 $6,175 $1,425 $36
25th Percentile $67,845 $5,654 $1,305 $33
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Key Factors That Influence Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salaries

An Accountant/Payroll Administrator'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 Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accountant/Payroll Administrator'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): $62,037
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,613
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,010
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $101,980
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,267
Levels Salary
Payroll A... Level Accountant/Payroll Administrator$62,037
Accountan... Level Accountant/Payroll Administrator$72,613
Payroll A... Level Accountant/Payroll Administrator$84,010
Payroll A... Level Accountant/Payroll Administrator$101,980
Payroll T... Level Accountant/Payroll Administrator$88,267
$62,037 0 yr
$72,613 < 2 yrs
$84,010 2-4 yrs
$101,980 5-8 yrs
$88,267 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $82,046.
  • California: $81,735.
  • Massachusetts: $80,645.

Top Paying Cities for Accountant/Payroll Administrators

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: $93,465
  • San Francisco: $92,442
  • Oakland: $90,493

What Skills Can Increase an Accountant/Payroll Administrator'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 an Accountant/Payroll Administrator'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
$77,807
5%
PeopleSoft
$77,066
4%
Collaboration
$77,066
4%
Process Improvement
$77,066
4%
Workday
$77,066
4%
Flexibility
$76,325
3%
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How Education impacts an Accountant/Payroll Administrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accountant/Payroll Administrators 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 an Accountant/Payroll Administrator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $68,921 and $73,107).

Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accountant/Payroll Administrator
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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Accountant/Payroll Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accountant/Payroll Administrator'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 May 01, 2026

Salaries of jobs related to Accountant/Payroll Administrator

Salary Trends for Accountant/Payroll Administrator

Salaries for an Accountant/Payroll Administrator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $60,789 in 2023 to around $60,900 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Accountant/Payroll Administrator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Accountant/Payroll Administrator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$60,789
2024
$61,127
2025
$60,900
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $60,789
2024 $61,127
2025 $60,900
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Accountant/Payroll Administrator

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