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Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk in the United States is $51,540 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,341
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,997 to $57,717
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,860
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salaries

An Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk'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): $44,949
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $50,253
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,364
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $61,976
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,019
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Payroll Clerk I less than 1 year $44,949
Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk 1-2 years $50,253
Payroll Clerk III 2-4 years $56,364
Payroll Clerk IV 5-8 years $61,976
Payroll Team Lead over 8 years $88,019

How Do Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk 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 Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $57,065.
  • California: $56,849.
  • Massachusetts: $56,091.

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk

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: $65,008
  • San Francisco: $64,296
  • Oakland: $62,941

Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $67,002 $32.0 30%
Financial Services $67,002 $32.0 30%
Internet $67,002 $32.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $67,002 $32.0 30%
Software & Networking $67,002 $32.0 30%

How Education impacts an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk with a high school is between $52,098 and $55,707.

Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.8%
High School 43.6%
Associate's Degree 24.1%
Bachelor's Degree 27.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 2.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.1%
View as Graph

Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk'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
$46,997
Average $51,540/year
$57,717
$3,916
Average $4,295/month
$4,810
$904
Average $991/week
$1,110
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,717 $4,810 $1,110 $28
Average $51,540 $4,295 $991 $25
25th Percentile $46,997 $3,916 $904 $23

Most common benefits for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk

Here are companies hiring for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

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    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

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    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

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  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

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FAQ about Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Assistant/Payroll Clerk roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

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