Accounting And Payroll Specialist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an Accounting And Payroll Specialist make in District of Columbia?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting And Payroll Specialist in District of Columbia is $75,270 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,985
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,067 to $81,925
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,687
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,067 10% $57,687 90% $87,985 75% $81,925 $75,270 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Accounting And Payroll Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,925 $6,827 $1,575 $39
Average $75,270 $6,272 $1,447 $36
25th Percentile $66,067 $5,506 $1,271 $32
Check out Accounting And Payroll Specialist Job Openings in District of Columbia
Payroll Specialist

Robert Half - Washington, DC

Senior Payroll Specialist

American University - Washington, DC

Payroll Specialist with Workday

Addison Group - Washington, DC

Senior Payroll Specialist

Planned Parenthood Federation of America - Washington, DC

Search More Accounting And Payroll Specialist Jobs in District of Columbia

Key Factors That Influence Accounting And Payroll Specialist Salaries

An Accounting And 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 Accounting And Payroll Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting And 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): $64,187
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,909
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,972
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $103,085
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,703
Levels Salary
Accounts ... Level Accounting And Payroll Specialist$64,187
Accountin... Level Accounting And Payroll Specialist$75,909
Accounts ... Level Accounting And Payroll Specialist$85,972
Accounts ... Level Accounting And Payroll Specialist$103,085
Accounts ... Level Accounting And Payroll Specialist$80,703
$64,187 0 yr
$75,909 < 2 yrs
$85,972 2-4 yrs
$103,085 5-8 yrs
$80,703 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Accounting And 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:

  • Parcel Return Service: $74,861
  • Washington: $74,862
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $74,858

Accounting And Payroll Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting And Payroll Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Accounting And Payroll Specialist positions in Software & Networking or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting And Payroll Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting And Payroll Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$97,851$47.030%
Insurance$94,087$45.025%
Aerospace & Defense$90,324$43.020%
Healthcare$86,560$42.015%
Telecom$84,302$41.012%

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

Understanding how an Accounting And 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 August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Accounting And Payroll Specialist Job

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

United States
  • Avantgarde

    Washington, DC

    Avantgarde | Washington, DC

    Payroll and Processing Specialist in Washington, DCThe AvantGarde, LLC (AG) Payroll and Processing Specialist provides expert support to the Architect of t... more

    10 Days Ago

  • NATIONAL COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT COALITION INC

    Washington, DC

    NATIONAL COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT COALITION INC | Washington, DC

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Accounting Specialist is a key member of the Finance team managing full cycle Payroll, A/P and disbursem... more

    10 Days Ago

  • National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States

    Washington, DC

    National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States | Washington, DC

    Job Description. Job Description. JOB SUMMARY. The Accounting Operations Specialist is responsible for the full range of the accounts payable processing cy... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Tennessee Society of Association Executives

    Washington, DC

    Tennessee Society of Association Executives | Washington, DC

    A nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC is seeking a bookkeeper/accounting assistant to handle accounts payable, cash management, and general ledg... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Dennison &amp; Associates LLC

    Washington, DC

    Dennison &amp; Associates LLC | Washington, DC

    A nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC is seeking a bookkeeper/accounting assistant to perform a variety of tasks related to accounts payable, ca... more

    10 Days Ago

  • ASAE

    Washington, DC

    ASAE | Washington, DC

    A nonprofit organization is seeking a Bookkeeper/Accounting Assistant to perform vital accounting tasks, including handling accounts payable and managing c... more

    10 Days Ago

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