Payroll clerk salary in Minnesota
The median payroll clerk in Minnesota earns $61,320 a year, or $29.48 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 5% above the national median of $58,260, and 11th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Minnesota’s 2,790 payroll clerks earn between $53,450 and $71,190. The highest paying metro area in the state is Rochester, MN, at $63,550.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in Minnesota. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Minnesota
Every metro area in Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $63,550 | $30.56 | $59,680 to $64,850 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $63,060 | $30.32 | $54,680 to $73,720 | 1,920 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $59,750 | $28.73 | $56,590 to $69,520 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $59,460 | $28.59 | $51,260 to $63,940 | 80 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $59,010 | $28.37 | $54,880 to $61,210 | 40 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $58,960 | $28.35 | $54,000 to $65,220 | 100 |
| Mankato, MN | $58,860 | $28.30 | $53,050 to $63,410 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $57,760 | $27.77 | $54,030 to $61,830 | 110 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,790 | $23.94 | $43,350 to $56,580 | 120 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Minnesota
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 Minnesota median costs about $82,800 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 9% of what one costs in Minnesota.
- 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 $82,800 a year for a payroll clerk at the Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
The median payroll clerk in Minnesota earned $61,320 a year, or $29.48 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $53,450 and $71,190. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Minnesota pays 5% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Minnesota pay payroll clerks the most?
Rochester, MN ($63,550), Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($63,060) and Fargo, ND-MN ($59,750).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Minnesota?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Minnesota median costs about $82,800 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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