Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,750 a year or less, while the top 10% make $88,090 or more. The middle half of payroll and timekeeping clerks in Washington earn between $53,870 and $75,040.
- $32K10th
- $54K25th
- $63KMedian
- $75K75th
- $88K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $64,180 | $5,348 | $30.86 |
| Median | $63,440 | $5,287 | $30.50 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $53,870 | $4,489 | $25.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,040 | $6,253 | $36.08 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks in Washington earn 16% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($76,510) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($59,630). At the median the gap is +9% against the U.S. median of $58,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $64,180 | $63,440 | $31,750 | $88,090 | 2,010 |
| Washington, D.C. | $76,510 | $74,670 | $49,270 | $98,760 | 270 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $64,180, a single filer in Washington takes home about $51,023 a year, or $4,252 a month and $1,962 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $51,698 | $4,308 |
| Working in DC | $51,023 | $4,252 |
| Working in MD | $50,912 | $4,243 |
| Working in VA | $50,872 | $4,239 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for payroll and timekeeping clerks? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $64,180 buys what about $58,943 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 9.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$56,570
- Baltimore, MD$62,710
- Winchester, VA$54,680
- Chambersburg, PA$53,980
- Harrisonburg, VA$56,710
- Charlottesville, VA$60,020
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
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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Washington: questions
How much do payroll and timekeeping clerks make an hour in Washington?
$30.86 an hour on average, and $30.50 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level payroll and timekeeping clerks salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,750 a year and the 25th percentile is $53,870, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the payroll and timekeeping clerks take-home pay in Washington?
About $51,023 a year ($4,252 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $64,180.
Do payroll and timekeeping clerks earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% more 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.5%.
- 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 0.65, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.65).
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