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Administrative Payroll Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Payroll Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Payroll Specialist in the United States is $49,911 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,901
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,601 to $57,758
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,677
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Administrative Payroll Specialist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Payroll Specialist Salaries

An Administrative Payroll Specialist'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 Administrative Payroll Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Payroll Specialist'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): $44,498
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,276
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,069
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $62,326
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,296
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Transaction Processing Assistant I less than 1 year $44,498
Administrative Payroll Specialist 1-2 years $48,276
Transaction Processing Assistant III 2-4 years $54,069
Transaction Processing Assistant IV 5-8 years $62,326
Transaction Processing Supervisor over 8 years $84,296

How Do Administrative Payroll Specialist 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 Payroll Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $55,262.
  • California: $55,052.
  • Massachusetts: $54,318.

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Payroll Specialist

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: $62,953
  • San Francisco: $62,264
  • Oakland: $60,951

Administrative Payroll Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Payroll Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Payroll Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Payroll Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Payroll Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction $59,893 $29.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $57,398 $28.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $54,902 $26.0 10%
Internet $54,902 $26.0 10%
Software & Networking $54,902 $26.0 10%

Administrative Payroll Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Payroll Specialist'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
$45,601
Average $49,911/year
$57,758
$3,800
Average $4,159/month
$4,813
$877
Average $960/week
$1,111
$22
Average $24/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,758 $4,813 $1,111 $28
Average $49,911 $4,159 $960 $24
25th Percentile $45,601 $3,800 $877 $22

Most common benefits for Administrative Payroll Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Payroll Specialist

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

Find Your Next Administrative Payroll Specialist Job

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

  • Miller Pipeline | Columbus, OH

    Columbus, OH - Administrative Specialist

    Miller Pipeline | Columbus, OH

    Do you want to help make a difference in building America's infrastructure. Since 1953, Miller Pipeline has been a leader in building and maintaining Ameri... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service | Columbus, OH

    ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SPECIALIST

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service | Columbus, OH

    Summary This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. Responsibilities Conduc... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Heinzerling Community | Columbus, OH

    Human Resources Support Specialist

    Heinzerling Community | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Join the Heinzerling Community Human Resources Team. Heinzerling Community is seeking a detail-oriented, dependable, and ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional Truck Driver Company

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    11 Days Ago

  • 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

    15 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

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FAQ about Administrative Payroll Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrative Payroll Specialist?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Payroll Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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