Payroll clerk salary in Tennessee
The median payroll clerk in Tennessee earns $51,780 a year, or $24.89 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 11% below the national median of $58,260, and 43rd of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Tennessee’s 3,680 payroll clerks earn between $45,300 and $61,350. The highest paying metro area in the state is Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, at $55,960.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 11% of what one costs in Tennessee. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Tennessee
Every metro area in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,960 | $26.91 | $48,690 to $62,440 | 1,460 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,420 | $25.68 | $44,980 to $61,790 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $52,910 | $25.44 | $44,460 to $65,000 | 500 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,420 | $25.20 | $44,090 to $59,270 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,870 | $24.94 | $44,770 to $58,200 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $51,170 | $24.60 | $45,390 to $61,350 | 90 |
| Cleveland, TN | $47,940 | $23.05 | $40,460 to $56,320 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,820 | $22.99 | $43,870 to $56,960 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $46,150 | $22.19 | $40,910 to $52,420 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $44,790 | $21.53 | $39,850 to $58,680 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Tennessee
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 Tennessee median costs about $69,900 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 Tennessee.
- 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 $69,900 a year for a payroll clerk at the Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
The median payroll clerk in Tennessee earned $51,780 a year, or $24.89 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $45,300 and $61,350. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Tennessee pays 11% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Tennessee pay payroll clerks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($55,960), Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($53,420) and Knoxville, TN ($52,910).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Tennessee?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Tennessee median costs about $69,900 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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