Payroll clerk salary in the District of Columbia
The median payroll clerk in the District of Columbia earns $74,670 a year, or $35.90 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 28% above the national median of $58,260, and 1st of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of the District of Columbia’s 270 payroll clerks earn between $61,840 and $90,270. The highest paying metro area in the state is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, at $63,440.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 7% of what one costs in the District of Columbia. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in the District of Columbia
Every metro area in the District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,440 | $30.50 | $53,870 to $75,040 | 2,010 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in the District of Columbia
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 the District of Columbia median costs about $100,800 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 7% of what one costs in the District of Columbia.
- 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 $100,800 a year for a payroll clerk at the the District of Columbia 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
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Questions
How much does a payroll clerk make in the District of Columbia?
The median payroll clerk in the District of Columbia earned $74,670 a year, or $35.90 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $61,840 and $90,270. Nationally the median is $58,260, so the District of Columbia pays 28% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in the District of Columbia pay payroll clerks the most?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($63,440).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in the District of Columbia?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the the District of Columbia median costs about $100,800 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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