Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay range in Columbus
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,190 a year or less, while the top 10% make $74,110 or more. The middle half of payroll and timekeeping clerks in Columbus earn between $44,690 and $62,400.
- $38K10th
- $45K25th
- $55KMedian
- $62K75th
- $74K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $54,830 | $4,569 | $26.36 |
| Median | $54,580 | $4,548 | $26.24 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,690 | $3,724 | $21.49 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $62,400 | $5,200 | $30.00 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay in Columbus vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks in Columbus earn 8% less than the Georgia average ($59,510) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($59,630). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $58,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $54,830 | $54,580 | $38,190 | $74,110 | 130 |
| Georgia | $59,510 | $59,990 | $39,590 | $76,790 | 6,720 |
| United States | $59,630 | $58,260 | $39,500 | $81,350 | 153,140 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary after taxes in Columbus
On the average salary of $54,830, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $44,248 a year, or $3,687 a month and $1,702 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in GA | $44,248 | $3,687 |
| Working in AL | $43,954 | $3,663 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbus a good place for payroll and timekeeping clerks? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3), so the average $54,830 buys what about $61,403 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($43,540). A typical home costs $209,527, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in other Georgia cities
Columbus ranks 7th of 14 Georgia metro areas for this job; Atlanta pays the most ($62,960).
- Atlanta$62,960
- Savannah$58,820
- Warner Robins$57,270
- Hinesville$56,900
- Gainesville$56,850
- Brunswick$55,480
- Columbus$54,830
- Macon$54,810
- Augusta$54,290
- Athens$53,650
Highest-paying cities for payroll and timekeeping clerks
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($84,640).
- San Jose, CA$84,640
- San Francisco, CA$81,730
- Seattle, WA$70,360
- Santa Rosa, CA$69,640
- Bremerton, WA$69,250
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Columbus: questions
How much do payroll and timekeeping clerks make an hour in Columbus?
$26.36 an hour on average, and $26.24 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level payroll and timekeeping clerks salary in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,190 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,690, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the payroll and timekeeping clerks take-home pay in Columbus?
About $44,248 a year ($3,687 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $54,830.
Do payroll and timekeeping clerks earn more in Columbus than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($59,630).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-3051; area Columbus, GA-AL (17980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.14, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.