Payroll Director
Salary range: $96,000 - $135,000
To pursue a career as a payroll director, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or human resources and extensive work experience in the field. Some employers may also require you to earn professional certification or a license. Additional qualifications include management skills, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and computer proficiency.
Payroll Manager
Salary range: $71,000 - $104,000
To become a payroll manager, it is important to gain experience from a combination of formal training in a bachelor’s degree program in accounting, business administration, or human resources, and from on-the-job experience in a payroll department. Many payroll managers are promoted into the role from positions such as payroll specialists, or payroll assistants. Certification is available for payroll management, but not always required by employers. Experience with payroll processing software is a benefit when seeking a payroll manager position.
Payroll Executive
Salary range: $49,000 - $66,000
The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.
Independent Contractor Payroll
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.
Entry Level Payroll
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.
Union Payroll
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.
Payroll Temp
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
Payroll Temp is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Payroll Temp jobs pay between $47,000 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Payroll Temp job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
At Home Payroll
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
At Home Payroll is a typical job search query. Most salaries for At Home Payroll jobs pay between $47,000 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for At Home Payroll job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Full Time Payroll
Salary range: $47,000 - $64,000
Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.
Payroll Coordinator
Salary range: $45,000 - $60,000
To become a payroll coordinator, you need a high school diploma or GED certificate. However, some employers give preference to job candidates who have an associate degree in accounting or human resources. You must be familiar with payroll software like PeopleSoft or Kronos and have knowledge of state and federal tax and workers compensation laws. You need strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to lead a team of employees. To demonstrate your professional skill set, you can earn optional certification from the American Payroll Association.
Junior Payroll
Salary range: $39,500 - $58,000
Junior Payroll is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Payroll jobs pay between $39,500 (25th percentile) and $58,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Payroll job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Trainee Payroll
Salary range: $36,500 - $55,000
The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.
Freelance Payroll
Salary range: $41,500 - $53,000
Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.
Virtual Payroll
Salary range: $41,500 - $53,000
The qualifications that you need to start working as a virtual payroll clerk or specialist include math and accounting skills and relevant experience, training, or a degree. Some payroll positions require you to undergo on-the-job training through the human resources (HR) department. Employers prefer an associate degree in accounting, bookkeeping, math, or business for applicants seeking a payroll clerk position. If you want to become a virtual payroll specialist, you may need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or equivalent experience. Employers also often expect knowledge of accounting software, such as QuickBooks. You may need to gain in house experience before transitioning to a virtual role.
Payroll Internship
Salary range: $37,500 - $52,000
An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.
Temporary Payroll
Salary range: $39,500 - $51,500
A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

All Jobs Payroll Jobs 16 of the Most Popular Types of Payroll Jobs in 2026