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Payroll Associate Jobs in Worcester, MA (NOW HIRING)

TJX Companies

Payroll Representative

Framingham, MA · On-site

$19 - $24.25/hr

Serve as the initial point of contact for all payroll-related inquiries from Associates. * Provide clear and accurate responses to general payroll questions or escalate complex issues to the Payroll ...

TJX Companies

Payroll Lead

Worcester, MA · On-site

$20.80 - $26.55/hr

... of payroll and personnel file maintenance. Supports the communication and administration of ... Provide training guidance, and on-going support to HR Assistants and DC Associates. Ensures that ...

Auburn Distribution Company

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Payroll Clerk-Full Time

Auburn, MA · On-site

$25 - $26/hr

Associates Degree in Human Resources/Business Administration * Knowledge of Multi-State compliance ... Minimum of 2 years prior payroll clerk experience required Employee Perks and Benefits: * A ...

Pomfret School

Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Pomfret, CT · On-site

$68K - $77K/yr

Education: Associate or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or related ... Technical Skills: Proficiency in payroll/HRIS platforms (e.g., Paylocity, Veracross, ADP) and ...

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City of Worcester

HEAD CLERK

Worcester, MA · On-site

$26.29 - $31.71/hr

Associate Degree in business/public administration, finance, accounting, or other related discipline * Five (5) years of experience performing payroll accounting functions SALARY RANGE: $26.29 - $31 ...

Typhoon HIL, Inc.

Accounting Associate

Waltham, MA · On-site

$55 - $70/hr

Coordinate with external tax, legal, and payroll advisors and provide supporting documentation ... Use the subject line "Application - Account Associate." Only candidates selected for further ...

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How much do payroll associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for payroll associate in Worcester, MA is $23.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.50 and $27.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a payroll associate?

Payroll Associates are professionals responsible for processing employee paychecks, ensuring accurate calculation of wages, withholding taxes, and managing payroll records. They verify timesheets, resolve discrepancies, and comply with federal and state payroll regulations. Payroll Associates often collaborate with human resources and accounting departments to maintain accurate financial records and support employee inquiries regarding compensation. Their work is essential for ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time.

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

To thrive as a Payroll Associate, you need a solid understanding of payroll processes, accounting principles, and attention to detail, often supported by a degree in finance, accounting, or related fields. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, QuickBooks, or Paychex, and sometimes certification like FPC or CPP, is typically required. Strong organizational skills, discretion, and effective communication set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with regulations, and confidentiality of sensitive employee information.

What are some common challenges a payroll associate might face, and how can they be addressed?

Payroll Associates often encounter challenges such as managing tight deadlines during payroll cycles, handling sensitive employee data with confidentiality, and staying updated with frequently changing tax regulations. Effective time management and strong attention to detail are essential to avoid errors and ensure compliance. Collaborating closely with HR and finance teams can help resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain smooth payroll operations.

What is the difference between Payroll Associate vs Payroll Clerk?

AspectPayroll AssociatePayroll Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles prefer accounting or HR certificationsHigh school diploma; basic understanding of payroll processes
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, often part of HR or finance teamsOffice environment, handling administrative payroll tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries, including corporate, healthcare, and retailCommonly found in similar industries, often overlapping with payroll roles
Comparison Search IntentUnderstanding role differences, career progressionClarifying job responsibilities, entry-level payroll tasks

The Payroll Associate typically has more responsibilities related to payroll processing, compliance, and data management, often requiring some certifications or experience. The Payroll Clerk usually handles administrative payroll tasks, focusing on data entry and record keeping. Both roles are essential in payroll operations, but the Payroll Associate often has a broader scope and may serve as a stepping stone to more advanced payroll or HR positions.

How do you become a payroll associate?

To become a payroll associate, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with strong attention to detail and proficiency in payroll software or spreadsheets. Relevant skills include understanding payroll laws and regulations, and some employers may prefer candidates with prior experience or certifications in payroll or accounting. On-the-job training is common, and familiarity with tools like ADP or QuickBooks can be advantageous.

Is doing payroll a hard job?

Payroll associates are responsible for processing employee wages, ensuring accuracy, and complying with tax laws, which requires attention to detail and knowledge of payroll software. The job can be straightforward but may involve handling complex calculations, deadlines, and sensitive information, making it moderately challenging depending on the organization’s size and complexity.

What are the most commonly searched types of Payroll jobs in Worcester, MA?

The most popular types of Payroll jobs in Worcester, MA are:

What cities near Worcester, MA are hiring for Payroll Associate jobs?

Cities near Worcester, MA with the most Payroll Associate job openings:

Payroll Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payroll Associate job openings in Worcester, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,621 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Associate Director, Payroll

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals

Waltham, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Company Description
Deciphera, a member of Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing important new medicines and providing hope to people living with cancer, neurologic and autoimmune disease. Deciphera is leveraging its proprietary switch-control kinase inhibitor platform and deep expertise in kinase biology to develop a broad portfolio of innovative medicines. In addition to advancing multiple product candidates from Deciphera's platform in clinical studies, QINLOCK® (ripretinib) is Deciphera's switch-control kinase inhibitor approved in many countries including the European Union and the United States for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) who have received prior treatment with 3 or more kinase inhibitors, including imatinib. ROMVIMZA® (vimseltinib) is a kinase inhibitor approved in the United States for adult patients with symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) for which surgical resection will potentially cause worsening functional limitation or severe morbidity, and in the European Union for adult patients with TGCT associated with clinically relevant physical function deterioration and in whom surgical options have been exhausted or would induce unacceptable morbidity or disability.
The spirit of collaboration that has brought medications to life continues to guide how we operate, grow, and discover new breakthroughs. We cultivate an inclusive culture that values curiosity, creativity, and shared accountability-empowering individuals to challenge the unknown together.
Deciphera offers competitive compensation, including equity-based compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance and a flexible spending account for either health care and/or dependent care.
Job Description
The Associate Director of Payroll is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of payroll operations in the US and Europe to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across the organization. This role oversees payroll systems, policies, audits, tax compliance, and reporting, while partnering closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, and external vendors. The Associate Director will drive process improvements, support strategic initiatives, and ensure a high standard of employee service and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage and lead payroll 100%
  • Lead and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for multi-state and multi-entity operations
  • Collaborate with international team with multi-country payroll processing leveraging an external vendor for support and processing
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour requirements, and reporting obligations
  • Manage payroll calendars, reconciliations, tax filings, garnishments, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and year-end processing (W-2s, audits, etc.)
  • Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and Accounting teams to ensure data integrity and alignment across systems and processes
  • Collaborate with team members to support company long-term incentive programs
  • Supporting member for the company's 401k, including committee membership and annual audit
  • Oversee payroll systems administration, upgrades, implementations, integrations, and vendor relationships
  • Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, controls, and documentation, including documentation related to J-SOX controls
  • Analyze payroll metrics and reporting to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for operational improvement
  • Support the close to report process, including general ledger accounting entries and reconciliations, related to the payroll accounts
  • Support internal and external audits by preparing required documentation and responding to inquiries
  • Ensure confidentiality and security of employee payroll data
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, efficiency, compliance, and employee experience
  • Serve as escalation point for complex payroll issues and employee concerns
  • Partner with Ono Headquarters on payroll related matters as needed

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
  • 10+ years of progressive payroll experience
  • Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and wage and hour laws
  • Experience managing payroll for large or multi-state organizations
  • Proficiency with payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, Oracle, or similar platforms
  • Advanced Excel and payroll reporting skills, including the preparation of accounting entries and reconciliations
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Capabilities
  • Experience with multi state and international payroll
  • Experience with payroll system implementations or process transformation initiatives
  • Experience in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, or other high-volume workforce environments

Additional Information
Additional Information
Deciphera is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary pay range for this role is $148,000 - $204,000. Actual compensation packages will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to depth of experience, education, skillset, overall performance and/or location.
Deciphera believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. Our base salary is just one component of Deciphera's competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, a long-term incentive plan, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans (if applicable)
Benefits:
  • Competitive salary and annual bonus.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and more.
  • Generous parental leave and family planning benefits.
  • Outstanding culture and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION
Deciphera is committed to equal employment opportunity and values diversity. To ensure that we comply with reporting requirements, we invite you complete the confidential survey at the end of this application. Providing this information is optional. It will not be accessible or used in the hiring process, and has no effect on your opportunity for employment. This information will also be treated confidentially. We are committed to make all hiring decisions and other employment decisions on a non-discriminatory basis.

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