Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Tennessee
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Tennessee earn a median of $51,780 a year ($24.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,160 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $58,260. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for payroll and timekeeping clerks pay. There are 1.1 payroll and timekeeping clerks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for payroll and timekeeping clerks in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 25th percentile | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Median | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| 75th percentile | $61,350 | $29.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| Average (mean) | $54,220 | $26.07 |
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 | $4,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,157.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,991.54 |
| Weekly | $995.77 |
| Hourly | $24.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,780 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,960 | 1,460 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,420 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $52,910 | 500 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,420 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,870 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $51,170 | 90 |
| Cleveland, TN | $47,940 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,820 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $46,150 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $44,790 | 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Teller | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Procurement Clerk | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Bill and Account Collectors | $40,920 | $19.68 |
| Financial Clerks, All Other | $47,060 | $22.62 |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,810 | $22.03 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $34,910 | $16.79 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks in Tennessee is $51,780 a year, or $24.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid payroll and timekeeping clerks make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of payroll and timekeeping clerks in Tennessee earn at least $75,160 a year. The top 25% earn $61,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for payroll and timekeeping clerks in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,270 a year, and a quarter of payroll and timekeeping clerks earn $45,300 or less.
How many payroll and timekeeping clerks work in Tennessee?
About 3,680 payroll and timekeeping clerks are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.