Salary AI Book a Demo

Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting/Payroll Administrator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting/Payroll Administrator in the United States is $86,296 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, an Accounting/Payroll Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,640
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,521 to $93,804
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,353
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Accounting/Payroll Administrator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salaries

An Accounting/Payroll Administrator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting/Payroll Administrator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $62,555
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,237
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,732
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,871
  • Expert (over 8 years): $89,042
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Payroll Administrator I less than 1 year $62,555
Payroll Administrator II 1-2 years $73,237
Accounting/Payroll Administrator 2-4 years $84,732
Payroll Administrator IV 5-8 years $102,871
Payroll Team Lead over 8 years $89,042

How Do Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Accounting/Payroll Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $95,547.
  • California: $95,184.
  • Massachusetts: $93,916.

Top Paying Cities for Accounting/Payroll Administrator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $108,845
  • San Francisco: $107,653
  • Oakland: $105,385

Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting/Payroll Administrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Accounting/Payroll Administrator positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting/Payroll Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting/Payroll Administrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $94,925 $46.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $94,925 $46.0 10%
Financial Services $94,925 $46.0 10%
Internet $94,925 $46.0 10%
Pharmaceuticals $94,925 $46.0 10%

Accounting/Payroll Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting/Payroll Administrator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$79,521
Average $86,296/year
$93,804
$6,627
Average $7,191/month
$7,817
$1,529
Average $1,660/week
$1,804
$38
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,804 $7,817 $1,804 $45
Average $86,296 $7,191 $1,660 $41
25th Percentile $79,521 $6,627 $1,529 $38

Most common benefits for Accounting/Payroll Administrator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Accounting/Payroll Administrator

Here are companies hiring for Accounting/Payroll Administrator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Accounting/Payroll Administrator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accounting/Payroll Administrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Check Off Your List | Columbus, OH

    Executive Assistant

    Check Off Your List | Columbus, OH

    Executive Assistant. Check Off Your List (COYL) is hiring a remote part-time Executive Assistant to support our exponential growth. COYL provides highly tr... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Veo | Columbus, OH

    E-Scooter Delivery Driver

    Veo | Columbus, OH

    E-Scooter Delivery Driver. Columbus, Ohio, United States. At Veo, our mission is to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all. A ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • HighGround | Columbus, OH

    Restoration Technician

    HighGround | Columbus, OH

    Restoration Technician. Turn Chaos into Calm Join Our Rapidly Growing Team. Founded in 1988, Power Dry is a leader in emergency water and mold removal serv... more

    9 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Clerk Jobs Immediately

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Food... more

    10 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Bakery Jobs Immediately

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Bake... more

    14 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Caregiver Jobs Immediately

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $20 - $37/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Care... more

    14 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Accounting/Payroll Administrator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting/Payroll Administrator?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting/Payroll Administrator roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst