Payroll clerk salary in New York
The median payroll clerk in New York earns $61,040 a year, or $29.35 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 5% above the national median of $58,260, and 12th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of New York’s 8,400 payroll clerks earn between $50,700 and $73,220. The highest paying metro area in the state is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, at $63,500.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in New York. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in New York
Every metro area in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $63,500 | $30.53 | $53,070 to $75,790 | 7,770 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $59,110 | $28.42 | $52,650 to $69,050 | 250 |
| Rochester, NY | $57,440 | $27.62 | $50,220 to $65,880 | 590 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $56,430 | $27.13 | $47,000 to $67,490 | 60 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $56,360 | $27.10 | $48,280 to $65,360 | 570 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $55,650 | $26.76 | $48,250 to $63,690 | 630 |
| Syracuse, NY | $55,410 | $26.64 | $48,690 to $64,270 | 290 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $51,630 | $24.82 | $45,310 to $56,430 | 40 |
| Ithaca, NY | $51,030 | $24.53 | $46,690 to $65,070 | 40 |
| Binghamton, NY | $50,770 | $24.41 | $47,000 to $59,210 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $50,430 | $24.24 | $45,140 to $63,580 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $49,940 | $24.01 | $44,950 to $57,280 | 150 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in New York
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 New York median costs about $82,400 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 9% of what one costs in New York.
- 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 $82,400 a year for a payroll clerk at the New York 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 New York?
The median payroll clerk in New York earned $61,040 a year, or $29.35 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $50,700 and $73,220. Nationally the median is $58,260, so New York pays 5% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in New York pay payroll clerks the most?
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ($63,500), Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY ($59,110) and Rochester, NY ($57,440).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in New York?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the New York median costs about $82,400 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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