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Payroll Operations Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Payroll Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Payroll Manager Coakley & Williams Construction is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to manage payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, benefits reconciliation, and payroll-related ...

Payroll Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Payroll Manager Coakley & Williams Construction is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to manage payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, benefits reconciliation, and payroll-related ...

Payroll Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Payroll Manager Coakley & Williams Construction is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to manage payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, benefits reconciliation, and payroll-related ...

Payroll Manager

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Coakley & Williams Construction is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to manage payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, benefits reconciliation, and payroll-related project accounting ...

The payroll manager is hands-on and expected to run day-to-day payroll operations. This position supports new and existing payroll systems, manages vendor contracts and relationships, drives process ...

Payroll Manager

Arlington, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role oversees all aspects of payroll operations-including payroll processing, tax reporting ... Oversees and manages payroll to ensure all department outcomes are achieved effectively.

The payroll manager is hands-on and expected to run day-to-day payroll operations. This position supports new and existing payroll systems, manages vendor contracts and relationships, drives process ...

The payroll manager is hands-on and expected to run day-to-day payroll operations. This position supports new and existing payroll systems, manages vendor contracts and relationships, drives process ...

Payroll Manager

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Payroll Manager oversees end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state, multi-entity organization, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and union and Service Contract Act ...

Payroll Manager

Reston, VA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Payroll Manager oversees end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state, multi-entity organization, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and union and Service Contract Act ...

Payroll Manager

Tysons Corner, VA · Hybrid

$91K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Payroll Manager, you will: * Lead and oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely ... payroll operations and system integration What you bring to the role: * High School Diploma ...

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Payroll Manager, Construction

Washington, DC · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC) is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to manage payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, benefits reconciliation, and payroll-related project ...

Showing results 41-60

Payroll Operations Manager information

See Washington salary details

$47.6K

$101.3K

$150.6K

How much do payroll operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for payroll operations manager in Washington is $101,250.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $117,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a payroll operations manager?

To thrive as a Payroll Operations Manager, you need expertise in payroll processing, compliance with labor laws, and a strong background in finance or accounting, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, Workday, or SAP, as well as certifications like CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for managing teams and ensuring accuracy. These skills are vital to guarantee timely and compliant payroll operations, minimize errors, and lead an efficient payroll department.

What is the difference between Payroll Operations Manager vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectPayroll Operations ManagerPayroll Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; payroll certifications preferredUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; payroll certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentOversees payroll teams, manages processes, and ensures compliance across departmentsPerforms payroll processing, data entry, and verification tasks
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in medium to large organizations across various industriesFound in organizations of all sizes, often in HR or finance departments

The Payroll Operations Manager focuses on overseeing payroll processes, managing teams, and ensuring compliance, while the Payroll Specialist handles the day-to-day payroll data entry and processing tasks. Both roles require payroll knowledge, but the manager position involves leadership and strategic oversight.

What does a payroll operations manager do?

A payroll operations manager oversees the processing of employee compensation, ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration. They manage payroll systems, ensure compliance with tax laws and company policies, and coordinate with HR and finance teams to resolve payroll issues. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of payroll software are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by payroll operations managers, and how can they be addressed?

Payroll Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as staying compliant with frequently changing tax laws, managing high volumes of data accurately, and ensuring timely payroll processing across multiple locations. To address these, it's important to implement robust payroll software, maintain ongoing training for staff, and establish strong internal controls. Effective communication with HR, finance, and external vendors also plays a crucial role in resolving discrepancies and maintaining smooth operations.

Is a payroll operations manager a stressful job?

A payroll operations manager role can be stressful due to the responsibility of ensuring accurate and timely employee payments, compliance with regulations, and managing payroll systems. The job often involves tight deadlines, attention to detail, and handling sensitive information, which can contribute to work-related stress.
What are popular job titles related to Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Washington? For Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Payroll Operations Manager jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Payroll Operations Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Payroll Operations Manager job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,250 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Senior Payroll Specialist

Ryde Technologies, LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

$33.25 - $45.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Overview
We are seeking experienced Senior Payroll Specialists to support federal payroll operations across a variety of employee appointment types. This role is responsible for executing both routine and complex payroll functions using automated federal payroll and personnel systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is committed to delivering accurate payroll processing along with responsive, high-quality customer service.
Key Responsibilities
  • Administer end-to-end biweekly payroll processing, including time and attendance validation, leave audits, payroll adjustments, allotments, pay differentials, lump-sum payments, and tax issue resolution; coordinate with the National Finance Center (NFC) as needed.
  • Process and review retirement-related payroll actions, including deductions, allotments, and retirement and survivor benefit applications.
  • Execute complex payroll transactions such as prior service cost calculations, retirement code updates, and payroll components tied to retirement documentation (e.g., DS-765, DS-2896, DS-3100).
  • Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, including suspense items, manual payments, system errors, and adjustment reports.
  • Address payroll issues related to incentives, separation benefits, tax withholdings, direct deposit, benefits contributions, collections, refunds, and leave accruals.
  • Maintain and reconcile payroll records and reports, ensuring accuracy of payroll and retirement data.
  • Apply knowledge of federal payroll regulations and guidance, including NFC directives, OMB guidance, CFR, the CFO Act, and the Debt Collection Improvement Act.
  • Utilize federal payroll systems and tools such as NFC, PowerTerm, SPPS, EPIC, and GovTA (or equivalent systems) to process and audit payroll transactions.
  • Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
  • Respond to employee and agency payroll inquiries through the ServiceNow ticketing system, delivering timely and professional customer support.
  • Ensure compliance with reporting, documentation, and record retention requirements in accordance with federal standards.
  • Manage multiple priorities independently while meeting strict deadlines in a high-volume environment.
  • Safeguard sensitive payroll and personnel data while adhering to internal controls and established procedures.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in federal payroll operations within a U.S. Government agency or department.
  • Demonstrated expertise in federal payroll policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks (NFC, OMB, CFR, CFO Act, Debt Collection Improvement Act).
  • Hands-on experience with federal payroll systems and tools.
  • Must not have prior USAID experience (per contract requirements).

Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.