▼12%
$21.90
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD)
/ hour
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD)
10%
$16.96
MEDIAN
$21.90
90%
$27.37
The average hourly pay for a Payroll Specialist is $21.90 in 2025
Hourly Rate
$17 - $27
Bonus
$409 - $5k
Profit Sharing
$12 - $5k
Total Pay
$37k - $63k
Is Average Early-Career Payroll Specialist Hourly Pay your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Payroll Specialists?
What Do Payroll Specialists Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Payroll Specialist
Medical
77%
Dental
69%
Vision
64%
None
22%
Gender Breakdown for Payroll Specialists
Female
85.5%
Male
13.4%
Prefer to self-define
0.6%
This data is based on 491 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Payroll Specialists
What is the highest pay for Payroll Specialists?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Payroll Specialist is $27.37 / hour
What is the lowest pay for Payroll Specialists?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Payroll Specialist is $16.96 / hour
How can Payroll Specialists increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Payroll Specialist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Payroll Specialist that oversees more junior Payroll Specialists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.