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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Assistant in Massachusetts is $53,504 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, a Payroll Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Payroll Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,193 | $4,933 | $1,138 | $28 |
| Average | $53,504 | $4,459 | $1,029 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,376 | $4,031 | $930 | $23 |
The Williston Northampton School - Northampton, MA
Accounting Company - Melrose, MA
Martignetti Companies - Taunton, MA
Roessel Joy - Norwood, MA
A Payroll Assistant'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Assistant'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Payroll C... Level Payroll Assistant | $48,179 |
| Payroll A... Level Payroll Assistant | $53,861 |
| Payroll C... Level Payroll Assistant | $60,408 |
| Payroll C... Level Payroll Assistant | $66,423 |
| Payroll T... Level Payroll Assistant | $94,326 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Payroll Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Payroll Assistant 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 Energy & Utilities and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Payroll Assistant positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Payroll Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $69,556 | $33.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $69,556 | $33.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $69,556 | $33.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $69,556 | $33.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $69,556 | $33.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Payroll Assistant'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $59,193 | $4,933 | $1,138 | $28 |
| Average | $53,504 | $4,459 | $1,029 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,376 | $4,031 | $930 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Payroll Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Consigli Construction
Milford, MA
Consigli Construction | Milford, MA
Job Description. Job Description. Employment Type. Full-Time. FSLA. Salary/Exempt. Division. Finance. Department. Corporate Accounting. Reports to. VP of F... more
8 Days Ago
Liberty
Braintree, MA
Liberty | Braintree, MA
Payroll AssistantThis position will assist the Payroll Manager with the day-to-day business activities. Primary responsibilities include collecting and ent... more
9 Days Ago
PTC
Boston, MA
PTC | Boston, MA
Global Payroll SpecialistOur world is transforming, and PTC is leading the way. Our software brings the physical and digital worlds together, enabling comp... more
9 Days Ago
CLEAN HARBORS
Norwell, MA
CLEAN HARBORS | Norwell, MA
Payroll AdministratorThe Payroll Administrator is responsible for computing specified payrolls, processing a variety of transactions, and preparing and gen... more
9 Days Ago
Synergy HomeCare
Westwood, MA
Synergy HomeCare | Westwood, MA
Human Resource GeneralistSynergy Homecare of greater Boston is looking for a Human Resource Generalist to join our team in our Westwood office. The Human R... more
9 Days Ago
Vicor Corp.
Andover, MA
Vicor Corp. | Andover, MA
Payroll AdministratorAndover, MA, US, 01810Job Function:FinanceReq ID:1878Job DescriptionWorking under close supervision, the payroll administrator will ha... more
9 Days Ago
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