ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Payroll Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Robert Half

Payroll Clerk

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$24 - $27.50/hr

Robert Half is seeking a Payroll Specialist for an opportunity with our client in the Cedar Rapids ... Robert Half connects skilled professionals with rewarding contract and contract-to-hire ...

Robert Half

IA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

A growing organization in West Des Moines is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join its team on a contract-to-hire basis. This role is ideal for a payroll professional who enjoys ...

Tri-City Group

Payroll Administrator

Davenport, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Research, interpret, and apply current federal, state, and local labor laws, prevailing wage determinations, union contracts, and project-specific certified payroll requirements * Investigate and ...

Tri-City Group

Payroll Administrator

Davenport, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Research, interpret, and apply current federal, state, and local labor laws, prevailing wage determinations, union contracts, and project-specific certified payroll requirements * Investigate and ...

Tri-City Group

Payroll Administrator

Davenport, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Research, interpret, and apply current federal, state, and local labor laws, prevailing wage determinations, union contracts, and project-specific certified payroll requirements * Investigate and ...

Tri-City Group

Payroll Administrator

Davenport, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Research, interpret, and apply current federal, state, and local labor laws, prevailing wage determinations, union contracts, and project-specific certified payroll requirements * Investigate and ...

OneroRX

HR Specialist

West Des Moines, IA

Run payroll processing end-to-end each pay cycle. * Own the license, DEA, and credential tracking ... Support vendor and contract relationship discussions alongside the Director of HR and HR Managers.

S&S Employment Partners

Be Seen First

Staff Accountant

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

We are seeking a Staff Accountant to prepare financial records and preparing and filing payroll, and sales and income tax returns for their clients! This is a full-time contract-to-hire opportunity ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Payroll JobsContract Payroll Jobs in Iowa

Contract Payroll information

See Iowa salary details

$14

$25

$36

How much do contract payroll jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract payroll in Iowa is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.20 and $28.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in contract payroll roles, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in contract payroll roles often encounter challenges such as managing multiple client accounts with varying pay schedules, staying up-to-date with frequent changes in tax regulations, and ensuring strict compliance with labor laws. Effective organization, attention to detail, and consistent communication with clients are crucial for success. Utilizing updated payroll software and attending regular compliance training can also help mitigate errors and streamline processes.

Do contract payroll jobs pay more?

Contract payroll jobs typically pay higher hourly rates than permanent positions to compensate for the temporary nature and lack of benefits. However, overall compensation may be lower when considering the absence of health insurance, retirement plans, and job stability associated with permanent roles.

What is the difference between Contract Payroll vs Contract Accountant?

AspectContract PayrollContract Accountant
Required CredentialsBasic payroll processing knowledge, sometimes certifications like ADP or PaychexAccounting degree, CPA or similar certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentPayroll departments, HR teams, or outsourced payroll firmsAccounting firms, finance departments, or freelance accounting roles
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries for payroll managementUsed in finance, accounting, and auditing sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding payroll-specific roles and contractsComparing accounting roles and contract work

Contract Payroll roles focus on processing employee wages, tax deductions, and compliance, often requiring payroll-specific certifications. Contract Accountant positions involve broader accounting responsibilities, financial analysis, and often require accounting degrees and certifications. While both are contract-based finance roles, Contract Payroll is specialized in payroll management, whereas Contract Accountants handle comprehensive accounting tasks.

What is contract payroll?

Contract payroll refers to the process of managing and processing payroll for employees who are hired on a contract basis rather than as permanent staff. This involves handling payments, withholding taxes, and ensuring compliance with labor laws specific to contract workers. Contract payroll can be managed internally by a company or outsourced to specialized payroll service providers. It helps businesses remain flexible with staffing while ensuring contractors are paid correctly and on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract payroll specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Payroll Specialist, you need a solid understanding of payroll processes, tax regulations, and relevant labor laws, often backed by experience in finance or accounting and sometimes a payroll certification like CPP. Familiarity with payroll software systems such as ADP, Paychex, or QuickBooks is typically required to efficiently manage payroll tasks. Excellent attention to detail, discretion, and strong communication skills help ensure accuracy and maintain confidentiality while collaborating with employees and management. These skills are crucial for ensuring timely and compliant payroll processing, which supports employee satisfaction and organizational integrity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Payroll jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Payroll jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Payroll jobs in Iowa? For Contract Payroll jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Payroll jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Payroll jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Contract Payroll jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Contract Payroll job openings:
Contract Payroll jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Payroll job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,521 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Payroll Clerk

Robert Half

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$24 - $27.50/hr

Temporary

Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Robert Half is seeking a Payroll Specialist for an opportunity with our client in the Cedar Rapids area. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values accuracy, and can handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Experience within the construction industry is highly preferred.


Position Overview

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for processing payroll for both hourly and salaried employees, maintaining payroll records, ensuring compliance with payroll tax regulations across multiple states, and supporting employee payroll-related inquiries. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and capable of working independently while delivering exceptional internal customer service.

Key Responsibilities

  • Process accurate and timely weekly and bi-weekly payrolls.
  • Review, verify, and audit employee timekeeping records for accuracy.
  • Enter and maintain payroll records for new hires, rehires, transfers, terminations, and employee status changes.
  • Calculate and process final pay, salary adjustments, bonuses, and other manual payroll transactions.
  • Administer payroll-related deductions, garnishments, withholding taxes, and unemployment taxes.
  • Assist with 401(k) plan administration and related payroll transactions.
  • Prepare and submit payroll tax filings and required federal, state, and local reports.
  • Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and employee communications.
  • Maintain employee paid time off and leave balances.
  • Process prevailing wage payroll calculations and certified payroll reporting when applicable.
  • Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and employee receivable balances.

Qualifications

  • 2+ years of payroll processing experience.
  • Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, garnishments, and payroll compliance requirements.
  • Experience processing weekly and bi-weekly payrolls across multiple states
  • Proficiency with payroll systems and Microsoft Excel.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.
  • Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Construction industry experience.
  • Experience with Vista by Viewpoint software.
  • Knowledge pulling payroll related reporting to provide to OSHA, BOL, etc.

Why Work with Robert Half?

Robert Half connects skilled professionals with rewarding contract and contract-to-hire opportunities with leading employers throughout the Cedar Rapids area. Our team is committed to helping you find a role that aligns with your experience, career goals, and schedule.

Apply today to learn more about this Payroll Specialist opportunity.

Robert Half logo

About Robert Half

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Founded in 1948, Robert Half pioneered the idea of professional talent solutions to connect opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. As business needs changed, we evolved to offer specialized talent solutions for finance and accounting, technology, administrative and customer support, creative and marketing, and legal fields. In 2002, we introduced our subsidiary, Protiviti, a global independent risk consulting and internal audit service, to support companies as they faced more strategic business challenges.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Ramon, CA, US

Year founded

1948

View All Robert Half Jobs