ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Payroll Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OpenAI

US Payroll Operations

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a seasoned US Payroll Operations expert to scale, and continuously improve the ... Ability to independently manage multiple competing priorities, take ownership of outcomes, and ...

FOCUSPOINT

Payroll Operations Specialist

New York, NY · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Project specialists provide project management support to deliver projects within the established ... Payroll through content development, payroll administration and operations, and internal ...

Traffic Plan

Payroll Manager

Tinton Falls, NJ

$80K - $110K/yr

In addition to managing daily operations, the Payroll Manager provides critical support to employees and oversees a small team to ensure financial and operational excellence. Salary $80,000-110,000 ...

Traffic Plan

Payroll Manager

Red Bank, NJ

$80K - $110K/yr

Payroll Operations: Manage and oversee the full-cycle payroll process for corporate employees across multiple entities. Ensure the timely processing of wages, bonuses, benefits, and adjustments.

Employer Flexible

Payroll Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

Payroll Operations Overview We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations supporting a growing portfolio of clients and worksite employees within a Professional Employer ...

Employer Flexible

Payroll Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

Payroll Operations Overview We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations supporting a growing portfolio of clients and worksite employees within a Professional Employer ...

Employer Flexible

Payroll Manager

Houston, TX

Payroll Operations Overview We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations supporting a growing portfolio of clients and worksite employees within a Professional Employer ...

Employer Flexible

Payroll Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

Payroll Operations Overview We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations supporting a growing portfolio of clients and worksite employees within a Professional Employer ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPayroll Operations Manager Jobs

Payroll Operations Manager information

See salary details

$42K

$89.4K

$133K

How much do payroll operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for payroll operations manager in the United States is $89,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Payroll Operations Manager, and why are they important?

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.

How much do payroll managers get?

Payroll managers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and company size. They oversee payroll processing, ensure compliance with tax laws, and often use payroll software like ADP or SAP. Salaries can vary widely based on industry and certifications such as CPP or FPC.

What does a payroll operations manager do?

A payroll operations manager oversees the processing of employee compensation, ensuring accurate and timely payment while maintaining compliance with tax laws and company policies. They manage payroll systems, coordinate with HR and finance departments, and often use payroll software to streamline operations. Strong attention to detail and knowledge of payroll regulations 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.

How much do payroll managers make?

Payroll managers typically earn an average salary of around $70,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, company size, and industry. In larger organizations or with specialized skills like proficiency in payroll software and compliance knowledge, salaries can exceed $100,000. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses and health insurance.

What is the highest paying job in payroll?

The highest paying roles in payroll typically include Payroll Director or Payroll Vice President, who oversee payroll operations and strategy at an executive level. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of payroll systems and compliance, with salaries significantly higher than standard payroll manager roles.
More about Payroll Operations Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Payroll Operations Manager jobs? Cities with the most Payroll Operations Manager job openings:
What states have the most Payroll Operations Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Payroll Operations Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Payroll Operations Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Payroll Operations Manager jobs are:
Payroll Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payroll Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,396 per year, or $43 per hour.
US Payroll Operations

US Payroll Operations

OpenAI

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About the Team
OpenAI Finance is responsible for ensuring the organization is set up for success in pursuit of its mission. OpenAI's Payroll team is responsible for timely and accurate processing of payroll and ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations.
About the Role
At OpenAI, payroll is not a back-office function - it is mission-critical infrastructure. We are seeking a seasoned US Payroll Operations expert to scale, and continuously improve the payroll and payroll-support ecosystem that serves one of the fastest-growing and most technically sophisticated organizations in the world.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.
In this role, you will:
  • Process biweekly payrolls for 5,000+ US employees, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery for exempt and non-exempt populations while maintaining compliance across federal, state and local regulations.
  • Support payroll activities related to mergers & acquisitions, including final payroll processing, tax account closures, W-2 reporting, payroll record retention, compliance requirements and payroll integration or wind-down activities.
  • Lead day-to-day workflows with outsourced payroll/BPO partners to ensure SLAs are met, quality standards are upheld and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and controls.
  • Deliver exceptional employee support by resolving payroll inquiries with a strong service mindset, ensuring clear communication, timely resolution and adherence to established SLAs.
  • Drive continuous process improvement through automation, AI-enabled solutions, workflow redesign and system optimization, reducing manual effort while enhancing accuracy, compliance and employee experiences.
  • Create and maintain process documentation, SOPs and process maps to support scalable payroll operations and audit readiness.
  • Partner closely with HR, Benefits and other cross-functional teams to ensure clean upstream inputs and accurate downstream reporting.
  • Create and maintain employee-facing payroll resources, knowledge base articles and self-service tools that improve transparency, reduce inquiry volume and improve the employee experience.

You might thrive in this role if you have:
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in payroll operations, preferably in a fast-paced or high-growth environment.
  • Strong working knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including employee mobility, multi-state taxation and standard payroll practices.
  • Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll required. ADP SmartCompliance experience is a plus.
  • Ability to independently manage multiple competing priorities, take ownership of outcomes, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
  • Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. CPP certification is strongly preferred.

About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
For additional information, please see OpenAI's Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

Apply