Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
O*NET 43-3051.00 · SOC 43-3051
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk is a risky career choice. Median pay is $58k a year with -15.9% projected growth through 2035 (declining) and about 11,400 openings a year. AI exposure: High.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Calculate employee wages based on hours worked and pay rates
- →Process payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, and garnishments
- →Review timesheets for errors or missing employee entries
- →Issue paychecks or initiate direct deposit transfers on schedule
- →Update payroll records when employees change tax withholding status
Education & How to Get In
Most Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk positions require an associate degree or vocational training. Many community colleges and technical schools offer relevant programs that can be completed in 1–2 years, often with hands-on clinical or lab experience built in.
Get Started Learning
Ready to start building skills for a career as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk? These platforms offer courses you can start today — many with free trials or financial aid.
Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.
Work Environment
Structured — offices, data centers, or remote
Independent — focused deep work with periodic team check-ins
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering — personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
Explore More Careers
Job Outlook
Employment of Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks is projected to decline 15.9% from 2025 to 2035, declining for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·69% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target
- ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory
- ·Declining employment suggests structural disruption
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk make?
The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk earns $58k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk jobs?
Our model puts Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk at 81 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is high disruption risk. The main drivers: 69% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target; industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory.
Is Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk a growing field?
Employment is projected to shrink 15.9% between 2025 and 2035, which is declining. That works out to roughly 11,400 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?
Most Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk roles expect an associate degree, apprenticeship or vocational certificate rather than a four-year degree.
How long does it take to become a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk?
Typically one to two years, typically an associate degree, apprenticeship or vocational program. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 3 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes