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Payroll specialist salary in United States

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

Average base salary

$27.39
Average $27.39
Low $17.74
High $42.28

The average salary for a payroll specialist is $27.39 per hour in the United States. 6.5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated September 28, 2026).

Payroll Specialist job openings in United States

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Payroll Specialist
Holland & Knight3.9out of 5 stars.
Brandon, FL
Full-time
18 hours ago

Highest paying companies for Payroll Specialist in United States

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Ector County Independent Schoo...
 
$421,658per year
View company
Lynn University
 
$286,000per year
StubHub
 
$157,500per year
Solventum
 
$152,710per year
ByteDance
 
$148,889per year
Brooksource
 
$145,600per year

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Highest paying cities for Payroll Specialists near United States

  1. Tempe, AZ
    $37.77 per hour
  2. Cleveland, OH
    $37.06 per hour
  3. Austin, TX
    $29.75 per hour
  4. Fresno, CA
    $29.48 per hour
  5. Deer Park, TX
    $27.47 per hour

Where can a Payroll Specialist earn more?

Compare salaries for Payroll Specialists in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Payroll Specialist

The average salary for a Payroll Specialist is $27.39 per hour in the United States. This figure is based on 6.5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 28, 2026.

Payroll Specialist jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Payroll Specialist salaries typically range between a low of $17.74 and a high of $42.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Payroll Specialist include Tempe, AZ at $37.77 per hour, Cleveland, OH at $37.06 per hour, and Austin, TX at $29.75 per hour.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Payroll Specialist include Ector County Independent School District ($421,658 per year) and Lynn University ($286,000 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Payroll Specialist salary compares to related positions:

  • Bookkeeper: Average $24.05 per hour
  • Payroll Coordinator: Average $26.58 per hour
  • Payroll Administrator: Average $27.28 per hour
  • Payroll Analyst: Average $34.50 per hour
  • Payroll Manager: Average $96,851 per year
  • Payroll Officer: Average $26.21 per hour

How much do similar professions as Payroll Specialist get paid in United States?

Bookkeeper

Job openings
Average $24.05 per hour