Payroll Careers

Overview

Payroll clerks and specialists process employee pay, handle tax withholdings, and file the reports that keep an employer compliant. It's a detail-driven role with strong deadlines and clear certification paths (FPC, CPP).

Typical daily responsibilities

• Processing weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly payroll runs.
• Entering new hires, terminations, and pay changes.
• Reviewing timesheets and PTO balances.
• Filing payroll tax deposits and quarterly returns.
• Answering employee questions about paychecks.

Required skills

• Precise data entry and 10-key.
• Comfort with Excel and payroll software.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
• Confidentiality — you'll see everyone's salary.

Recommended training on this website

Complete the Bookkeeping Academy's Payroll lesson, the Excel Lessons, and the 10-Key Trainer for daily productivity.

Helpful software to learn

• ADP, Paychex, Gusto, Rippling, and Paylocity.
• Excel for pay-period audits and variance reports.
• A time-and-attendance system such as ADP Time or Deputy.

Typical salary range

Entry-level payroll clerks commonly earn in the high-thirties to mid-fifties per year; certified specialists and payroll managers earn more. Pay varies by employer size, industry, and location.

Advancement opportunities

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), then Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Senior payroll specialist or payroll supervisor.
• Payroll manager or HRIS analyst.
• Move into HR or benefits administration.