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Payroll Specialist Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harbor Compliance

Payroll Specialist (Contractor)

$50/hr

Harbor Compliance is seeking an experienced Payroll & Multi-State Tax Compliance Specialist for a 6 ... Execute all multi-cadence domestic payroll runs (salaried, hourly, contractors, commissions) and ...

National University

Payroll Specialist (Contractor)

$30/hr

Maintains accurate payroll records in order to deliver accurate and on-time pay to employees ultimately impacting customer satisfaction and profitability. Essential Functions: * Answers employee and ...

E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.

Payroll Specialist

Snellville, GA · On-site

$20.25 - $27.50/hr

R. Snell Contractor, Inc., founded in 1923, is a family-owned construction and infrastructure ... Position Description This is a full-time role for a Payroll Specialist based in Snellville, GA ...

Garage Headquarters

Payroll Specialist

Warwick, RI

$23 - $31.25/hr

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll while supporting ... Contractor Prequalifications * Complete contractor prequalification applications for general ...

Garage Headquarters

Payroll Specialist

Warwick, RI

$23 - $31.25/hr

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll while supporting ... Contractor Prequalifications * Complete contractor prequalification applications for general ...

Garage Headquarters

Payroll Specialist

Warwick, RI · On-site

$23 - $31.25/hr

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll while supporting ... Contractor Prequalifications * Complete contractor prequalification applications for general ...

MRA Recruiting Services

Payroll Specialist

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$23.50 - $32/hr

OwnersEdge Inc Payroll Specialist Waukesha, WI Position Description The full-time Payroll ... Accounts payable processing of contractors * Participate in month end close process by accurately ...

Midwest Services Group

Payroll Specialist

Vandalia, IL · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

... quality contractor services in the Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy Industry. Since 2009, our ... Payroll Specialist The Payroll Specialist will support the accurate and timely processing of weekly ...

Midwest Services Group

Payroll Specialist

Vandalia, IL · On-site

$20.75 - $28.25/hr

... quality contractor services in the Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy Industry. Since 2009, our ... Payroll Specialist The Payroll Specialist will support the accurate and timely processing of weekly ...

Ascension Property Services

Payroll Specialist

Nashville, TN · On-site

$22.75 - $31/hr

The Payroll Specialist serves as a key resource supporting payroll administration, payroll audits ... Support contractor, customer, and government agency payroll audits and reporting requests This is ...

Career Site

Payroll Specialist

Brentwood, TN · On-site +1

$22.25 - $30.25/hr

The Payroll Specialist serves as a key resource supporting payroll administration, payroll audits ... Support contractor, customer, and government agency payroll audits and reporting requests This is ...

Technico

Payroll Specialist

Queens, NY · On-site

$25.50 - $34.50/hr

Payroll Specialist Location: Long Island City, NY Job Type: Full-Time Reports To: Financial ... Technico Construction Services Inc. is a full-service general contractor and construction ...

Emergency Care Partners

Payroll Specialist

Lafayette, LA · On-site

$18.25 - $24.75/hr

Job Type Full-time Description Job purpose The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurately and ... Communicate professionally and effectively with employees and independent contractors to gather ...

Iuvo Systems

Payroll Specialist

Bowie, MD · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

We are seeking a Payroll Specialist to work in a full-time capacity 100% remote. Knowledgeable in ... Stay updated on changes in payroll regulations, especially those affecting government contractors.

Iuvo Systems

Payroll Specialist

Bowie, MD · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

We are seeking a Payroll Specialist to work in a full-time capacity 100% remote. Knowledgeable in ... Stay updated on changes in payroll regulations, especially those affecting government contractors.

MasTec Inc

Payroll Specialist

Pomona, CA

$22 - $32/hr

MTZ), a Fortune 500 Company ranked by Energy News-Record as one of the leading contractors in the ... The Payroll Specialist's responsibilities include collecting and reviewing employee information and ...

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Payroll Specialist Contractor information

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How much do payroll specialist contractor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for payroll specialist contractor in the United States is $27.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.60 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do payroll specialists earn?

Payroll specialists typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $65,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Contractors in this role may earn hourly rates ranging from $20 to $35, often working with payroll software and compliance standards.

What does a Payroll Specialist Contractor do?

A Payroll Specialist Contractor is responsible for managing and processing payroll for clients or organizations on a contract basis. Their duties typically include calculating employee wages, ensuring compliance with tax laws, preparing payroll reports, and handling payroll inquiries. They may also manage deductions, benefits, and direct deposits. As contractors, they often work independently or through staffing agencies and may serve multiple clients. Their expertise helps ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while meeting all regulatory requirements.

What is the highest paying job in payroll?

The highest paying roles in payroll typically include Payroll Managers, Payroll Directors, or Compensation and Benefits Directors, who oversee payroll operations and strategy. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and certifications such as CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), with salaries reaching six figures in many organizations.

What is the difference between Payroll Specialist Contractor vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectPayroll Specialist ContractorPayroll Specialist
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required; experience preferredOften requires certifications like CPP or FPC
Work EnvironmentContract basis, often remote or temporaryFull-time, permanent in-house or remote
Employer UsageHired through staffing agencies or as independent contractorsEmployed directly by companies
Work ScopeFocused on specific payroll tasks, project-basedHandles end-to-end payroll processing and compliance

In summary, a Payroll Specialist Contractor works on a temporary or project basis, often without formal certifications, and is usually hired through agencies. In contrast, a Payroll Specialist is a permanent employee with certifications, managing comprehensive payroll functions within a company.

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

To thrive as a Payroll Specialist Contractor, you need expertise in payroll processing, tax regulations, and accounting principles, often supported by a degree in finance or accounting. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, Paychex, or QuickBooks, and certifications like the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) are highly valuable. Strong attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication skills set top professionals apart in this role. These abilities ensure accurate payroll administration, compliance with legal requirements, and smooth coordination with clients and team members.

What are the main challenges a Payroll Specialist Contractor might face when working with multiple clients?

As a Payroll Specialist Contractor, one of the biggest challenges is managing the varying payroll systems and compliance requirements of different clients. Each client may use different software, pay schedules, and have unique policies for benefits, taxes, and reporting. Staying organized, communicating clearly with each client, and keeping up to date with changing regulations are essential to ensure accuracy and avoid costly errors. Contractors also need to adapt quickly to new environments and processes as they take on new clients, making flexibility and attention to detail key strengths in this role.

What is the highest paying contractor job?

For a Payroll Specialist Contractor, the highest paying roles typically involve senior or specialized positions such as payroll managers or consultants with extensive experience, certifications, and knowledge of complex payroll systems. These roles often command higher hourly rates or project-based fees, especially in industries with complex compliance requirements or large-scale operations.

Is payroll specialist in demand?

Payroll specialists are in demand due to the ongoing need for accurate employee compensation processing across various industries. They often require knowledge of payroll software, tax regulations, and compliance standards, making their skills valuable in many organizations. Employment growth for payroll roles is expected to be steady as companies continue to prioritize efficient payroll management.
More about Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs
What cities are hiring for Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs? Cities with the most Payroll Specialist Contractor job openings:
What states have the most Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs? States with the most job openings for Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs are:
Payroll Specialist Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payroll Specialist Contractor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,982 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Payroll Specialist (Contractor)

Harbor Compliance

Remote

$50/hr

Contractor

Retirement

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Harbor Compliance is seeking an experienced Payroll & Multi-State Tax Compliance Specialist for a 6-month independent contract engagement ($50/hr). In this role, you will assume full ownership of our end-to-end payroll operations, processing 30+ complex monthly runs for domestic employees, global contractors, commissions, and bonuses. Your primary focus will be managing multi-state tax compliance, mitigating audit risks, and standardizing our processes through robust documentation. This dedicated contract role provides critical coverage during an upcoming maternity leave and serves to restore strategic capacity to our core People Operations team.
Responsibilities
  • End-to-End Payroll Processing: Execute all multi-cadence domestic payroll runs (salaried, hourly, contractors, commissions) and coordinate global contractor pay.
  • Off-Cycle Management: Administer ad-hoc and off-cycle runs including bonuses, retroactive adjustments, and termination pay inline with state timelines.
  • Multi-State Tax Compliance: Own the setup, maintenance, and closure of state payroll tax accounts, directly interacting with state agencies to remediate issues.
  • System Administration: Serve as the hands-on administrator for Rippling payroll configurations, workflow automations, and credential hygiene (MFA/TPA access).
  • Deductions & Reconciliations: Maintain 401(k) deferrals, benefits, and garnishments in the HRIS, ensuring zero-variance reconciliation against carrier invoices each cycle.
  • M&A Integration Support: Onboard acquisition payrolls within strict integration timelines, handling historical data imports and retroactive rectifications without disruption.
  • People Operations Partnership: Support the broader team with payroll reporting, people analytics, offer letter variable calculations, and compensation band refreshes.
  • Process Documentation: Build and maintain a current, comprehensive runbook for all pay-run types and state tax accounts to ensure seamless operational continuity.

Experience
  • Multi-State Payroll: 2-4 years of direct experience managing high-volume, multi-state payroll processing across various employment types.
  • Tax Agency Interaction: Proven track record handling state tax registrations, remittances, filing-frequency rules, and resolving state agency notices.
  • Benefits & Court Orders: Hands-on experience administering 401(k) match processing, complex garnishments, and benefits deduction reconciliations.
  • HRIS Platform Depth: Deep operational familiarity with modern HRIS platforms, specifically managing configurations and system limits.
  • Year-End Operations: Demonstrable experience executing year-end processing, W-2 reconciliations, and avoiding amended filings.
  • Data & Tools: Proficient with intermediate Excel functions (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) to audit large datasets and manage payroll reporting.

Preferred Skills
  • Rippling Expertise: Advanced, hands-on experience with Rippling payroll configuration and a strong understanding of its TPA and Contractor of Record (COR) models.
  • M&A Payroll Exposure: Direct experience managing payroll integrations, historical data migrations, or account setups related to corporate acquisitions.
  • Compliance Knowledge: Solid foundational knowledge of FLSA rules, multi-state wage and hour laws, and independent contractor compliance limits.

Accommodations:
Harbor Compliance is committed to providing any reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities within our application and interview process. To request an accommodation due to a disability, please inform your recruiter.
Compensation:
Compensation is set to $50/hr for this 6-month contractor engagement.
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
Harbor Compliance will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Harbor Compliance, or (c) consistent with Harbor Compliance's legal duty to furnish information.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Harbor Compliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.
Notice Regarding the Use of Selection Technology
Harbor Compliance uses third-party automated tools and skills assessments (such as Testlify and Rippling) to help evaluate job applications and streamline our hiring workflow. These tools assist our recruitment team in reviewing qualification trends and scheduling, but all final employment decisions are made solely by humans on our Talent Success team, and all tools are subject to human oversight.
Depending on your location, local laws may grant you specific disclosure rights or the option to request an alternative evaluation process. If you require a reasonable accommodation or wish to opt out of automated assessment steps due to regional regulations, please notify your recruiter. Opting out will not negatively impact your application.
Great Place to Work® Certified | USA
Harbor Compliance is a leading technology platform for entity compliance, helping more than 80,000 businesses and nonprofits manage licensing, tax registration, and legal entity requirements nationwide. Founded in 2012 and recognized repeatedly by the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500, we've grown through five strategic acquisitions - and are now backed by a 2026 majority growth investment from Bregal Sagemount to accelerate product, AI, and customer experience. We're a passionate team making compliance simpler and smarter for every organization we serve.

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