Payroll clerk salary in Colorado
The median payroll clerk in Colorado earns $64,140 a year, or $30.84 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 10% above the national median of $58,260, and 4th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Colorado’s 2,580 payroll clerks earn between $51,650 and $76,040. The highest paying metro area in the state is Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, at $67,710.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in Colorado. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Colorado
Every metro area in Colorado where BLS publishes a median for payroll clerks, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $67,710 | $32.55 | $57,750 to $78,350 | 100 |
| Boulder, CO | $66,140 | $31.80 | $63,190 to $69,320 | n/a |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $64,760 | $31.13 | $55,700 to $79,770 | 1,580 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,260 | $29.45 | $49,320 to $71,280 | 210 |
| Pueblo, CO | $59,290 | $28.51 | $49,660 to $65,220 | 30 |
| Greeley, CO | $55,690 | $26.78 | $47,530 to $70,580 | 110 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $53,740 | $25.84 | $46,570 to $69,700 | 50 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Colorado
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a payroll clerk at the Colorado median costs about $86,600 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a payroll clerk costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a payroll clerk’s job, for 9% of what one costs in Colorado.
- Collects the hours and the approvals before the run and flags what does not add up.
- Cross-checks the payroll totals against the books at month end.
- Tells you on Monday whether Friday’s payroll is covered, from the bank, the books and the payouts on their way.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $86,600 a year for a payroll clerk at the Colorado median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI bookkeeper.
Questions
How much does a payroll clerk make in Colorado?
The median payroll clerk in Colorado earned $64,140 a year, or $30.84 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $51,650 and $76,040. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Colorado pays 10% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Colorado pay payroll clerks the most?
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO ($67,710), Boulder, CO ($66,140) and Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($64,760).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Colorado?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Colorado median costs about $86,600 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/payroll-clerk.
Payroll clerk salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-3051. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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