Payroll clerk salary in Kentucky
The median payroll clerk in Kentucky earns $52,890 a year, or $25.43 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 9% below the national median of $58,260, and 38th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Kentucky’s 1,670 payroll clerks earn between $43,800 and $62,710. The highest paying metro area in the state is Elizabethtown, KY, at $59,390.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 11% of what one costs in Kentucky. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Kentucky
Every metro area in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $59,390 | $28.55 | $51,630 to $63,400 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,540 | $27.66 | $47,150 to $64,780 | 1,030 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $57,220 | $27.51 | $45,970 to $67,290 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $56,230 | $27.03 | $47,290 to $69,660 | 190 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $54,600 | $26.25 | $45,850 to $65,120 | 600 |
| Owensboro, KY | $54,350 | $26.13 | $47,790 to $73,510 | 30 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $53,540 | $25.74 | $42,600 to $58,300 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,420 | $25.20 | $44,090 to $59,270 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $46,100 | $22.16 | $39,170 to $55,500 | 100 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Kentucky
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 Kentucky median costs about $71,400 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 11% of what one costs in Kentucky.
- 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 $71,400 a year for a payroll clerk at the Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
The median payroll clerk in Kentucky earned $52,890 a year, or $25.43 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $43,800 and $62,710. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Kentucky pays 9% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Kentucky pay payroll clerks the most?
Elizabethtown, KY ($59,390), Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($57,540) and Paducah, KY-IL ($57,220).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Kentucky?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Kentucky median costs about $71,400 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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