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Director Of Payroll Salary in the United States

How much does a Director Of Payroll make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director Of Payroll in the United States is $159,555 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $180,104
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $145,372 to $170,311
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,459
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View as table View as graph 25% $145,372 10% $132,459 90% $180,104 75% $170,311 $159,555 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director Of Payroll Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $170,311 $14,193 $3,275 $82
Average $159,555 $13,296 $3,068 $77
25th Percentile $145,372 $12,114 $2,796 $70
Check out Director Of Payroll Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Director Of Payroll Salaries

A Director Of Payroll'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 Director Of Payroll Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director Of Payroll'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): $102,808
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $88,986
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,503
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $111,549
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,540
Levels Salary
Payroll A... Level Director Of Payroll$102,808
Payroll T... Level Director Of Payroll$88,986
Payroll S... Level Director Of Payroll$95,503
Payroll M... Level Director Of Payroll$111,549
Director ... Level Director Of Payroll$160,540
$102,808 0 yr
$88,986 < 2 yrs
$95,503 2-4 yrs
$111,549 5-8 yrs
$160,540 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Director Of Payroll 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 Director Of Payrolls. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $176,659.
  • California: $175,989.
  • Massachusetts: $173,644.

Top Paying Cities for Director Of Payrolls

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: $201,247
  • San Francisco: $199,043
  • Oakland: $194,849

What Skills Can Increase a Director Of Payroll's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.52% 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.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Data Integrity (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): Data integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency (validity) of data over its lifecycle. Compromised data, after all, is of little use to enterprises, not to mention the dangers presented by sensitive data loss.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.52%
Microsoft Office 2.82%
Data Integrity 1.25%
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 Director Of Payroll's salary.
  • ADP Workforce Now: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Oracle: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Payroll Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
ADP Workforce Now
 $172,319
8%
Oracle
 $169,128
6%
Payroll Administration
 $167,533
5%
Collective Bargaining
 $165,937
4%
Process Management
 $165,937
4%
Workday
 $165,937
4%
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Director Of Payroll Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director Of Payroll roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Director Of Payroll positions in Chemicals or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director Of Payroll as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director Of Payroll

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$175,510$84.010%
Financial Services$172,319$83.08%
Media$169,128$81.06%
Business Services$167,533$81.05%
MFG Nondurable$165,937$80.04%

Director Of Payroll Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director Of Payroll'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$145,372
Average $159,555/year
$170,311
$12,114
Average $13,296/month
$14,193
$2,796
Average $3,068/week
$3,275
$70
Average $77/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $170,311 $14,193 $3,275 $82
Average $159,555 $13,296 $3,068 $77
25th Percentile $145,372 $12,114 $2,796 $70

Salaries of jobs related to Director Of Payroll

Salary Trends for Director Of Payroll

Salaries for a Director Of Payroll can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $156,849 in 2023 to around $152,296 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director Of Payroll salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director Of Payroll Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$156,849
2024
$154,477
2025
$152,296
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $156,849
2024 $154,477
2025 $152,296
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director Of Payroll

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

Here are companies hiring for Director Of Payroll 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 Director Of Payroll job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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FAQ about Director Of Payroll

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director Of Payroll?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Director Of Payroll roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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