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Exempt Remote Payroll Manager Jobs in Riverside, CA

Payroll Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site +1

$85K - $115K/yr

Location: Remote within Southern California | Occasional work in our Santa Ana office may be ... About the Role The Payroll Manager leads the payroll team and oversees accurate, timely, and ...

Contract length: 12 months + extension * 100% remote (PST) but local candidates preferred (Riverside, CA) Our direct, higher education client seeks a Payroll Product Manager to support strategy ...

Oversee payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees, including validating hours worked and time ... Remote Pacvue is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive ...

This fully remote role is responsible for leading clients of varying sizes and complexities through ... Manage multiple concurrent implementations and go-live transitions. * Prioritize tasks, manage ...

Peoplesoft Payroll Developer * Full time contract (1099/C2C) * 100% remote (PST) Scope of Work ... Escalate issues to management as appropriate. * Advanced knowledge of PeopleSoft development tools ...

Sr. Human Resources Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Remote Compensation: $105,000 - $120,000 / year Description AMG is seeking an experienced, highly ... Own the bi-weekly payroll process , including employee changes, deductions, withholdings, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Exempt Remote Payroll Manager information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$43.8K

$93.3K

$138.8K

How much do exempt remote payroll manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for exempt remote payroll manager in Riverside, CA is $93,264.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,100.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Exempt Remote Payroll Manager vs Exempt Payroll Specialist?

AspectExempt Remote Payroll ManagerExempt Payroll Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires payroll certifications (e.g., CPP, FPC), relevant experienceOften requires similar certifications or payroll experience
Work EnvironmentRemote, overseeing payroll processes, managing teamsRemote or on-site, processing payroll data, ensuring accuracy
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in HR and finance departments across various industriesCommon in HR/payroll departments, often entry to mid-level roles

The Exempt Remote Payroll Manager focuses on overseeing payroll operations, managing teams, and ensuring compliance, often requiring leadership skills and certifications. The Exempt Payroll Specialist handles payroll processing tasks, ensuring data accuracy and compliance, typically with similar credentials. While both roles can be remote and share certifications, the manager role involves higher-level oversight and strategic responsibilities.

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Exempt Remote Payroll Manager jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Exempt Remote Payroll Manager job openings:

Payroll Manager

Optimum HR LLC

Santa Ana, CA • On-site, Remote

$85K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Location: Remote within Southern California| Occasional work in our Santa Ana office may be required

Want to work for a great company with competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for career growth? Optimum HR has been voted one of Orange County's Best Places to Work for the past 10 years, and we're looking for an experienced payroll professional and people leader to join our team as Payroll Manager.

Optimum HR provides small and midsize companies with comprehensive human resources services and support. Our team is known for responsive, high-touch service and a collaborative approach to solving problems for our clients.

About the Role

The Payroll Manager leads the payroll team and oversees accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations. This position manages team performance and client workload distribution, resolves escalated client issues, coordinates cross-functional initiatives, and contributes payroll expertise to management planning and strategic decision-making.

What You'll Do

  • Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, setting clear expectations and creating accountability for performance and service.
  • Oversee accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across a complex, multi-client environment.
  • Balance team capacity and client workloads based on complexity, deadlines, service needs, and employee strengths.
  • Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll and client-service issues, guiding problems through resolution.
  • Monitor payroll accuracy, deadlines, service levels, workload, and recurring issues and take action when improvement is needed.
  • Lead and support a hybrid team through consistent communication, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Partner with departments across the organization on payroll-related projects, system changes, process improvements, and operational issues.
  • Bring payroll expertise to management discussions, identifying risks and recommending improvements to staffing, processes, technology, and client service.
  • Stay current on payroll practices and applicable federal and state requirements and ensure changes are effectively implemented.

What We're Looking For

  • High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of payroll experience (including complex, multi-state, high-volume, or multi-client payroll processing) and/or minimum of two years of experience directly managing or leading employees (including coaching, performance management, and accountability) preferred
  • Experience with payroll and HCM systems; isolved or PEO industry experience preferred
  • FPC or Payroll Certification preferred
  • Experience handling escalated client issues and communicating complex payroll matters clearly and professionally
  • Strong problem-solving and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and firm deadlines.
  • Clear, confident communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

Work Location Requirements

This position is primarily remote within Southern California, with in-office attendance in Santa Ana approximately 1–2 times per month. Additional on-site attendance may occasionally be needed for meetings, training, company events, or other business needs.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $115,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, education, and other relevant factors. In addition to competitive compensation, Optimum HR offers a generous benefits package and a collaborative, team-focused culture.

If you're an experienced payroll professional who enjoys leading people, solving challenging problems, and improving how things get done, we'd love to hear from you.