Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $53,420 a year ($25.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,460 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $58,260. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $51,780. There are 0.85 payroll and timekeeping clerks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for payroll and timekeeping clerks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| 25th percentile | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Median | $53,420 | $25.68 |
| 75th percentile | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Average (mean) | $54,270 | $26.09 |
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 | $4,451.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,225.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,054.62 |
| Weekly | $1,027.31 |
| Hourly | $25.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,960 | 1,460 |
| Knoxville, TN | $52,910 | 500 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,420 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,870 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $51,170 | 90 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $50,370 | 40 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $49,600 | 320 |
| Cleveland, TN | $47,940 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,820 | 60 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,910 | 250 |
| Jackson, MS | $46,600 | 280 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $46,510 | 60 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $46,230 | 190 |
| Johnson City, TN | $46,150 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $45,300 | 100 |
| Morristown, TN | $44,790 | 40 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $44,290 | 40 |
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 |
See Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Teller | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Gambling Cage Worker | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,310 | $34.28 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $34,530 | $16.60 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $53,420 a year, or $25.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid payroll and timekeeping clerks make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of payroll and timekeeping clerks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $75,460 a year. The top 25% earn $61,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for payroll and timekeeping clerks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,710 a year, and a quarter of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn $44,980 or less.
How many payroll and timekeeping clerks work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 520 payroll and timekeeping clerks are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.