Payroll Specialist Salary in 2026
Process employee compensation including wages, deductions, taxes, and benefits.
Median Salary
$52,000
$4,333/mo
Entry Level
$38,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$68,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
Payroll Specialist Overview
Process employee compensation including wages, deductions, taxes, and benefits.
Education
Associate's/Bachelor's
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
190K
5-Year Growth
+6%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$25.00/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,333
Payroll Specialist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Payroll Specialist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Payroll Specialist Salary
$58,000
$4,833/month · $2,231/biweekly · $27.88/hr
Payroll Specialist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Payroll Specialist field.
Entry-level Payroll Specialists earn around $38,000, while the top 10% earn $73,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Payroll Specialists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| New York | $60,000 | +$8,000 |
| Illinois | $54,000 | +$2,000 |
| Texas | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Payroll Specialists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| Los Angeles | $58,000 | +$6,000 |
| Chicago | $55,000 | +$3,000 |
| Dallas | $52,000 | $0 |
| Houston | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Payroll Specialist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Payroll Specialist from entry level to expert.
$38,000
0-2 years
$53,000
3-7 years
$68,000
8-14 years
$78,000
15+ years
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Payroll Specialist Salary FAQ
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