Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salary in the United States

How much does an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk in the United States is $52,395 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,602
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,534 to $56,691
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,018
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
View as table View as graph 25% $48,534 10% $45,018 90% $60,602 75% $56,691 $52,395 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $56,691 $4,724 $1,090 $27
Average $52,395 $4,366 $1,008 $25
25th Percentile $48,534 $4,044 $933 $23
Check out Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Job Openings in the United States
Registered Nurse

Via Christi Village Hays - HAYS, KS

Travel CCU RN

Focus Staff - BENNINGTON, VT

Physical Therapist

CareFirstNY - CAYUTA, NY

Physical Therapist

CareFirstNY - PAINTED POST, NY

Search More Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salaries

An Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk'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 Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk'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): $46,064
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,500
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,085
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,998
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,747
Levels Salary
Accounts ... Level Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk$46,064
Ap Clerk/... Level Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk$51,500
Accounts ... Level Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk$57,085
Accounts ... Level Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk$74,998
Accounts ... Level Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk$91,747
$46,064 0 yr
$51,500 < 2 yrs
$57,085 2-4 yrs
$74,998 5-8 yrs
$91,747 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk 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 Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $58,012.
  • California: $57,792.
  • Massachusetts: $57,022.

Top Paying Cities for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerks

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: $66,086
  • San Francisco: $65,362
  • Oakland: $63,985

What Skills Can Increase an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.25% 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.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.25%
General Ledger 2.08%
Accounting Software 1.13%
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 Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk's salary.
  • Concur: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Concur
$55,539
6%
Presentation
$55,539
6%
Innovation
$55,015
5%
Collaboration
$55,015
5%
Leadership
$55,015
5%
Process Improvement
$55,015
5%
Get Latest Data

Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$62,874$30.020%
Pharmaceuticals$61,826$30.018%
Energy & Utilities$60,254$29.015%
Financial Services$60,254$29.015%
Chemicals$57,635$28.010%

How Education impacts an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerks enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk with a Associate's Degree is between $48,167 and $50,899).

Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 38.3%
Associates 25.9%
Bachelors 32.2%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 0.2%
view as graph

Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk'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

Salary Trends for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk

Salaries for an Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,541 in 2023 to around $46,593 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,541
2024
$46,877
2025
$46,593
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,541
2024 $46,877
2025 $46,593
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk

Here are companies hiring for Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Ap Clerk/Payroll Clerk Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst