How much does a Payroll Director make in the United States?
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The average Payroll Director salary in the United States is $120,390 as of May 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Payroll Director positions (listed below) typically falls between $52,356 and $188,425. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Payroll Director's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Payroll Director | $168,401 | $80.96 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Manager | $124,483 | $59.85 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Supervisor | $105,697 | $50.82 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Administrator II | $76,359 | $36.71 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Administrator I | $68,283 | $32.83 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Administrator III | $92,602 | $44.52 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Administrator IV | $110,984 | $53.36 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Team Lead | $92,841 | $44.64 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Clerk II | $58,360 | $28.06 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Payroll Clerk III | $67,632 | $32.52 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
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Directs all aspects of payroll processing operations. Establishes and oversees payroll processes and procedures for routine processing, tax reporting and internal financial requirements. Designs short-term and long-term strategies to achieve continuous improvement and efficiencies in payroll processing and delivery operations. Keeps stakeholders informed about the status of payroll laws and regulations and develops implementation plans for required changes to operations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. View Payroll Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Operations Director, Payroll Director
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Responsible for managing payroll processing operations. Establishes policies and processes that ensure accurate calculation of wages, tax withholdings, and company deductions. Interfaces between finance and human resource departments to provide accurate and useful information. Develops and produces payroll-related statistical reports. Ensures accurate and on-time governmental reporting and compliance. Oversees the activities and training of both professionals and support staff. Directs the resolution of complex issues or errors. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Payroll Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Operations Manager, Payroll Manager
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Responsible for the supervision and coordination of payroll processing operations. Ensures accurate calculation of wages and processing of tax withholding and company deductions. Prepares statistical reports on employee pay, commissions and bonuses; vacation, sick, disability and workers compensation leave; taxes, withholding, etc. Oversees the distribution of paychecks and direct deposit programs. Provides training to team on policies, regulations, and processes. Assists team members with resolving errors or responding to inquiries. May be the first level escalation for complaints or complex error resolution. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/ production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. View Payroll Supervisor SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Operations Supervisor, Payroll Supervisor
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Responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system. Reviews the computation of pay and associated deductions for accuracy. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of city, state, provincial, local, and federal legislation affecting payroll; understands and follows applicable provisions. Prepares required tax filings and other reporting. May coordinate payroll processing with an outside service provider. Responds to and resolves any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting. Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly. Typically requires an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Payroll Administrator II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Accounting Administrator Intermediate, Payroll Administrator IICategory : Accounting
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Responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system. Reviews the computation of pay and associated deductions for accuracy. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of city, state, provincial, local, and federal legislation affecting payroll; understands and follows applicable provisions. Prepares required tax filings and other reporting. May coordinate payroll processing with an outside service provider. Responds to and resolves any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting. Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly. May require an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Payroll Administrator I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Accounting Administrator Entry, Payroll Administrator ICategory : Accounting
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Responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system. Reviews the computation of pay and associated deductions for accuracy. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of city, state, provincial, local, and federal legislation affecting payroll; understands and follows applicable provisions. Prepares required tax filings and other reporting. May coordinate payroll processing with an outside service provider. Responds to and resolves any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting. Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly. Requires an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Payroll Administrator III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Accounting Administrator Senior, Payroll Administrator IIICategory : Accounting
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Responsible for the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution and reconciliation of payroll and the administration of the payroll system. Reviews the computation of pay and associated deductions for accuracy. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of city, state, provincial, local, and federal legislation affecting payroll; understands and follows applicable provisions. Prepares required tax filings and other reporting. May coordinate payroll processing with an outside service provider. Responds to and resolves any inquiries regarding paychecks or payroll reporting. Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly. Requires an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Payroll Administrator IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Accounting Administrator Expert, Payroll Administrator IVCategory : Accounting
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Responsible for the coordination of payroll processing operations for a team. Monitors workflow, team assignments, and processing deadlines. Verifies accurate calculation of wages, tax withholding, and company deductions. Assists team members with resolving errors or responding to inquiries. May prepare reports on employee pay, commissions and bonuses; vacation, sick, disability and workers compensation leave; taxes, withholding, etc. Coordinates the distribution of paychecks and direct deposit programs. Provides training to team on policies, regulations, and processes. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. View Payroll Team Lead SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Payroll Operations Assistant Supervisor, Payroll Team LeadCategories : Human Resources , Accounting , Administrative, Support, and Clerical , Financial Services
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Prepares and processes payroll and associated information. Collates and verifies data and inputs into the payroll system. Updates payroll records and processes routine changes to employee records. Performs basic reconciliation and auditing processes during each pay cycle. Responds to pay-related inquiries from staff. Researches and resolves errors or omissions. May prepare and submit reports and forms required by IRS or other regulatory bodies. Follows all processing procedures, adheres to policies, and maintains confidentiality. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Payroll Clerk II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Accounting Clerk II - Payroll, Payroll Associate II, Payroll Processing Clerk II, Payroll Clerk IICategories : Human Resources , Accounting , Administrative, Support, and Clerical , Entry Level , Financial Services
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Prepares and processes payroll and associated information. Collates and verifies data and inputs into the payroll system. Updates payroll records and processes routine changes to employee records. Performs basic reconciliation and auditing processes during each pay cycle. Responds to pay-related inquiries from staff. Researches and resolves errors or omissions. May prepare and submit reports and forms required by IRS or other regulatory bodies. Follows all processing procedures, adheres to policies, and maintains confidentiality. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience. View Payroll Clerk III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Accounting Clerk III - Payroll, Payroll Associate III, Payroll Processing Clerk III, Payroll Clerk IIICategories : Human Resources , Accounting , Administrative, Support, and Clerical , Financial Services