Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator job description

A payroll administrator is responsible for overseeing payroll operations and helping ensure employees are paid accurately and on schedule. These professionals manage payroll records, process payroll transactions and support compliance with payroll regulations, tax requirements and company policies. As organizations adopt new technologies and navigate increasingly complex workforce needs, payroll administrators play an important role in maintaining payroll accuracy, operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Payroll administrators work closely with human resources, finance and benefits teams to support payroll processing, reporting and record-keeping. They help resolve payroll issues, maintain payroll systems and contribute to process improvements that enhance accuracy, compliance and the employee experience.

Typical payroll administrator duties:

Administer and process payroll accurately and on schedule while maintaining payroll records and employee data

Review payroll information, including earnings, deductions, taxes, time records and employee status changes, and reconcile payroll reports and related accounts

Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll regulations, tax requirements and company policies

Respond to employee payroll inquiries and collaborate with human resources, finance and benefits teams to maintain accurate payroll information

Support payroll tax reporting, year-end processing and audit activities while identifying opportunities to improve payroll processes, reporting accuracy and system efficiency

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FLSA

Full cycle payroll

Garnishments

General ledger reconciliation

Multistate payroll

Payroll reconciliations

Payroll systems administration

Payroll tax compliance

Time and attendance management

Wage and hour compliance

Year-end payroll processing

National salary range for Payroll Administrator

53750 - 78500

Low

53750

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is still developing core skills.

Mid

62000

The candidate has moderate experience in the role or one similar, meets most requirements and may hold transferable skills or relevant certifications.

High

78500

The candidate has extensive experience in the role, demonstrates advanced skills and often brings specialized certifications or industry experience.

Projected salaries for related positions

Job title

Low

Mid

High

Payroll Director

125000

156500

187750

Payroll Manager

79500

95750

112750

Payroll Analyst

55500

63000

81000

Payroll Specialist

45000

49000

57500

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