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Associate Payroll Specialist Jobs in Rochester, MN

All JobsAssociate Payroll Specialist JobsAssociate Payroll Specialist Jobs in Rochester, MN

Associate Payroll Specialist information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$15

$27

$39

How much do associate payroll specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate payroll specialist in Rochester, MN is $27.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.98 and $31.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate payroll specialist do?

An Associate Payroll Specialist is responsible for assisting in the processing of employee payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and company regulations. They help maintain payroll records, resolve discrepancies, and answer employee questions about pay and deductions. Their duties often include data entry, updating payroll systems, and supporting audits or reporting requirements. This role is crucial for ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate payroll specialist?

To thrive as an Associate Payroll Specialist, you need strong mathematical skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of payroll regulations, typically supported by a relevant degree or payroll certification. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, QuickBooks, or SAP, as well as Microsoft Excel, is commonly required. Exceptional organizational skills, confidentiality, and effective communication help you excel in this role. These abilities are essential to ensure accurate payroll processing, compliance with laws, and timely resolution of employee inquiries.

What are some typical challenges an associate payroll specialist might face during payroll processing periods?

During payroll processing periods, Associate Payroll Specialists often encounter challenges such as ensuring data accuracy, meeting tight deadlines, and resolving discrepancies in employee timesheets or deductions. They may also need to stay updated on changing tax regulations and company policies to ensure compliance. Effective communication with HR, finance, and employees is essential to quickly address questions or errors, making attention to detail and time management crucial skills in this role.

What is the difference between Associate Payroll Specialist vs Payroll Clerk?

AspectAssociate Payroll SpecialistPayroll Clerk
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like ADP or payroll-specific certifications are a plusUsually requires a high school diploma; minimal certifications needed
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, often in HR or finance departmentsOffice environment, often in administrative or HR support roles
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in mid-sized to large organizations, often in finance or HR departmentsCommon in small to medium organizations, administrative settings
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing payroll roles with more responsibilities and certificationsPeople seeking entry-level payroll or administrative roles

The Associate Payroll Specialist typically has more responsibilities, may hold relevant certifications, and works in larger organizations. Payroll Clerks usually perform basic payroll tasks with minimal certifications, often in smaller companies. The role you choose depends on your experience level and career goals in payroll.

What job categories do people searching Associate Payroll Specialist jobs in Rochester, MN look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Payroll Specialist jobs in Rochester, MN are:

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Associate Payroll Specialist jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Associate Payroll Specialist job openings:

Associate Payroll Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Payroll Specialist job openings in Rochester, MN as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 30% Full Time, 68% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,922 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Payroll Specialist

Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC.

Rochester, MN • On-site

$24 - $32.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Ashley Furniture rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 293 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 52 rated furniture manufacturers

Job description

Build Your Career with Ashley

Join a team committed to keeping Ashley the world’s largest manufacturer of furniture.

Payroll Specialist

What Will You Do?

The Payroll Specialist will process weekly hourly payrolls for all Ashley Companies and prepare related reports.

  • Process payrolls: process employee miscellaneous deductions, receive hours/wage data via AS400 and Excel, audit driver trip packets, import data into HRIS, make adjustments (data entry) as necessary, run reports, verify reports, print checks and sort checks.
  • Work closely with offsite payroll departments and other internal departments and/or supervisors to coordinate the completion of weekly payrolls.
  • Prepare payroll reports.
  • Perform audit of select information entered by the Human Resource Department, other clerical tasks such as filing, data entry, review of scanned documents and handle payroll related calls and inquiries.
  • Answer questions from supervisors and employees regarding pay.

What Do You Need?

  • Associate Degree in Accounting or related field or equivalent work experience, required.
  • 6 months of hands-on payroll experience or general office experience, required.
  • Experience with computerized payroll systems and document management systems desired.

Who We Are

At Ashley, we’re more than a business…we’re family. As the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, we know what it takes to build incredible furniture and future leaders. We’re problem solvers with the grit to persevere during challenging times and innovators who won't coast when times are good. We create solutions, not excuses. And never settle for status quo. It’s the reason we’re always searching for better ways to delivering an exceptional customer experience. That's why Ashley Furniture is #1 in our industry.

Ready to grow? You’ve come to the right place. Ashley Furniture has a “Growth Mindset”, and once you join our team, you’ll learn from the best in the business.

Apply today and find your home at Ashley!

Benefits We Offer

  • Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Your Birthday off
  • Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific) and Medical Tourism
  • Telehealth
  • 401(k) and Profit Sharing
  • Life Insurance

Our Core Values

  • Honesty & Integrity
  • Passion, Drive, Discipline
  • Continuous Improvement/Operational Excellence
  • Dirty Fingernail
  • Growth Focused\

To learn more about Ashley Furniture, our community engagement programs, environmental stewardship, and our core values, please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility information page: Corporate Social Responsibility

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. Principals Only.

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