Payroll Admin Salary in the United States

How much does a Payroll Admin make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Payroll Admin in the United States is $74,727 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,902
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,160 to $81,623
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,181
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,160 10% $62,181 90% $87,902 75% $81,623 $74,727 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Payroll Admin Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,623 $6,802 $1,570 $39
Average $74,727 $6,227 $1,437 $36
25th Percentile $68,160 $5,680 $1,311 $33
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Key Factors That Influence Payroll Admin Salaries

A Payroll Admin'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 Payroll Admin Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Payroll Admin'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): $72,034
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,233
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $73,028
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,220
  • Expert (over 8 years): $76,451
Levels Salary
Entry Level Payroll Admin$72,034
Intermediate Level Payroll Admin$72,233
Senior Level Payroll Admin$73,028
Specialist Level Payroll Admin$74,220
Expert Level Payroll Admin$76,451
$72,034 0 yr
$72,233 < 2 yrs
$73,028 2-4 yrs
$74,220 5-8 yrs
$76,451 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Payroll Admins

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: $94,253
  • San Francisco: $93,326
  • Oakland: $91,256

What Skills Can Increase a Payroll Admin'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 a Payroll Admin'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
$78,463
5%
PeopleSoft
$77,716
4%
Collaboration
$77,716
4%
Process Improvement
$77,716
4%
Workday
$77,716
4%
Flexibility
$76,969
3%
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How Education impacts a Payroll Admin's Salary?

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

Payroll Admin Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Payroll Admin
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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Payroll Admin Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Payroll Admin'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Payroll Admin

Salaries for a Payroll Admin can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $62,155 in 2023 to around $62,268 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Payroll Admin salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Payroll Admin Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,155
2024
$62,500
2025
$62,268
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,155
2024 $62,500
2025 $62,268
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Payroll Admin

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

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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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