Payroll clerk salary in Missouri
The median payroll clerk in Missouri earns $54,080 a year, or $26.00 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 7% below the national median of $58,260, and 34th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Missouri’s 3,460 payroll clerks earn between $43,080 and $64,120. The highest paying metro area in the state is St. Louis, MO-IL, at $59,190.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 10% of what one costs in Missouri. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Missouri
Every metro area in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $59,190 | $28.46 | $47,100 to $68,490 | 1,530 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,970 | $27.39 | $48,000 to $75,330 | 50 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $56,590 | $27.21 | $49,340 to $68,070 | 1,260 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $50,420 | $24.24 | $38,630 to $61,780 | 70 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $48,510 | $23.32 | $39,800 to $60,520 | 100 |
| Springfield, MO | $47,980 | $23.07 | $41,140 to $61,150 | 280 |
| Columbia, MO | $47,620 | $22.89 | $42,100 to $60,740 | 100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $43,610 | $20.97 | $36,550 to $56,430 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Missouri
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 Missouri median costs about $73,000 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 Missouri.
- 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 $73,000 a year for a payroll clerk at the Missouri 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 Missouri?
The median payroll clerk in Missouri earned $54,080 a year, or $26.00 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $43,080 and $64,120. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Missouri pays 7% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Missouri pay payroll clerks the most?
St. Louis, MO-IL ($59,190), St. Joseph, MO-KS ($56,970) and Kansas City, MO-KS ($56,590).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Missouri?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Missouri median costs about $73,000 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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