CFChooseField
Office and Administration

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
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Median pay

$55,290
Median annual pay for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-16.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

13,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

161,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-27,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administrative
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Economics and Accounting
  5. 5Personnel and Human Resources
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Written Comprehension
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Mathematical Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Cooperation

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Processing Information
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Performing Administrative Activities
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Documenting/Recording Information

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Spend Time Sitting
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Representative tasks

  • Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
  • Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
  • Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
  • Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
  • Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
  • Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
  • Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.
  • Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandWorkday software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandKronos Workforce Timekeeper · in demandOracle HRIS · in demandPayroll software · in demandADP Workforce Now · in demandSAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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