Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in District of Columbia
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in District of Columbia earn a median of $74,670 a year ($35.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,760 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $58,260. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for payroll and timekeeping clerks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 payroll and timekeeping clerks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $76,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for payroll and timekeeping clerks in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| 25th percentile | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Median | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $90,270 | $43.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,760 | $47.48 |
| Average (mean) | $76,510 | $36.79 |
Half of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,111.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,871.92 |
| Weekly | $1,435.96 |
| Hourly | $35.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,440 | 2,010 |
Highest-paying states for payroll and timekeeping clerks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $74,670 |
| California | $65,340 |
| Washington | $64,560 |
| Colorado | $64,140 |
| Massachusetts | $63,670 |
| New Hampshire | $63,090 |
| Alaska | $62,210 |
| Connecticut | $62,200 |
| Hawaii | $62,070 |
| Illinois | $61,390 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Teller | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Procurement Clerk | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $47,060 | $22.62 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a payroll and timekeeping clerks make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks in District of Columbia is $74,670 a year, or $35.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid payroll and timekeeping clerks make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of payroll and timekeeping clerks in District of Columbia earn at least $98,760 a year. The top 25% earn $90,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for payroll and timekeeping clerks in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,270 a year, and a quarter of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn $61,840 or less.
How many payroll and timekeeping clerks work in District of Columbia?
About 270 payroll and timekeeping clerks are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.