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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$65,340
Median Annual Salary
▲
+6.0% vs 2024
$68,580
Mean Salary
$65,340
Median Salary
$31.41
Hourly Rate
20,590 people work as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California earn a median salary of $65,340 per year ($5,445/month).
This is 15.6% above the national average of $56,530.
California ranks #2 out of 51 states for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay.
Approximately 20,590 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 6.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: 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.
Top Skills
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Active Listening
3.75
Mathematics
3.25
Writing
3.12
Speaking
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Administrative
4.49
Mathematics
4.21
English Language
4.19
Economics and Accounting
4.07
Personnel and Human Resources
3.9
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(31.8% of workers)
Salary Range: Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California
Salaries for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California range from $46,120 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $92,080 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $56,230 and $78,870.
Median $65,340
P10: $46,120P25: $56,230P75: $78,870P90: $92,080
10th
$46,120
25th
$56,230
Median
$65,340
75th
$78,870
90th
$92,080
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$46,120
$22.17
$3,843
25th Percentile
$56,230
$27.03
$4,685
Median (50th)
$65,340
$31.41
$5,445
75th Percentile
$78,870
$37.92
$6,572
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$92,080
$44.27
$7,673
Note: The mean (average) salary of $68,580 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make in California?
The median annual salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California is $65,340 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $68,580.
What is the salary range for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California?
Salaries for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California range from $46,120 at the 10th percentile to $92,080 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $56,230 and $78,870.
What is the starting salary for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California?
Entry-level Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks positions in California typically start around $46,120 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $56,230 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 20,590 people are employed as Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California is approximately $31.41 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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