Payroll clerk salary in Indiana
The median payroll clerk in Indiana earns $53,770 a year, or $25.85 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 8% below the national median of $58,260, and 35th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Indiana’s 4,020 payroll clerks earn between $45,100 and $65,540. The highest paying metro area in the state is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, at $62,920.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 10% of what one costs in Indiana. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Indiana
Every metro area in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,920 | $30.25 | $49,750 to $77,230 | 4,170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,540 | $27.66 | $47,150 to $64,780 | 1,030 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $56,430 | $27.13 | $45,590 to $63,330 | 110 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $55,450 | $26.66 | $46,880 to $65,540 | 1,690 |
| Columbus, IN | $55,160 | $26.52 | $43,930 to $66,450 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $54,600 | $26.25 | $45,850 to $65,120 | 600 |
| Bloomington, IN | $53,040 | $25.50 | $40,930 to $67,430 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,920 | $25.44 | $44,420 to $58,190 | 100 |
| Kokomo, IN | $52,140 | $25.07 | $44,270 to $64,220 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $50,320 | $24.19 | $43,790 to $61,690 | 100 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $50,150 | $24.11 | $41,720 to $59,840 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $50,030 | $24.06 | $45,930 to $61,120 | 280 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $48,510 | $23.32 | $41,180 to $57,540 | 70 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,220 | $23.19 | $40,840 to $61,590 | 140 |
| Muncie, IN | $46,200 | $22.21 | $41,770 to $60,140 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Indiana
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 Indiana median costs about $72,600 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 10% of what one costs in Indiana.
- 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 $72,600 a year for a payroll clerk at the Indiana 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 Indiana?
The median payroll clerk in Indiana earned $53,770 a year, or $25.85 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $45,100 and $65,540. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Indiana pays 8% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Indiana pay payroll clerks the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($62,920), Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($57,540) and Elkhart-Goshen, IN ($56,430).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Indiana?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Indiana median costs about $72,600 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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