Payroll clerk salary in North Dakota
The median payroll clerk in North Dakota earns $60,600 a year, or $29.13 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 4% above the national median of $58,260, and 15th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of North Dakota’s 300 payroll clerks earn between $53,550 and $66,160. The highest paying metro area in the state is Bismarck, ND, at $61,900.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in North Dakota. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in North Dakota
Every metro area in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $61,900 | $29.76 | $57,950 to $72,000 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $59,750 | $28.73 | $56,590 to $69,520 | 130 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $59,010 | $28.37 | $54,880 to $61,210 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in North Dakota
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 North Dakota median costs about $81,800 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 North Dakota.
- 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 $81,800 a year for a payroll clerk at the North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
The median payroll clerk in North Dakota earned $60,600 a year, or $29.13 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $53,550 and $66,160. Nationally the median is $58,260, so North Dakota pays 4% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in North Dakota pay payroll clerks the most?
Bismarck, ND ($61,900), Fargo, ND-MN ($59,750) and Grand Forks, ND-MN ($59,010).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in North Dakota?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the North Dakota median costs about $81,800 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.
See it on your own business.
Thirty minutes with us, on your own tools. Bring the thing that eats your evenings and watch it get handled from your own inbox, calendar and books.
Professional is $629 a month and we set it up with you. Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with the free trial first: 7 days, no card. Every plan is on the pricing page.