Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a payroll and timekeeping clerks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $80,150/year ($38.53/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $72,586 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 69.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About payroll and timekeeping clerks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level payroll and timekeeping clerks (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $119K or more - a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $69K | +25% | 350 |
| Washington | $62K | +13% | 3,880 |
| California | $62K | +12% | 23,180 |
| Minnesota | $61K | +10% | 2,700 |
| Connecticut | $61K | +10% | 1,540 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | +10% | 1,030 |
| New York | $61K | +10% | 9,040 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +9% | 3,470 |
| Illinois | $60K | +9% | 6,060 |
| New Jersey | $60K | +8% | 4,350 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +8% | 290 |
| Oregon | $59K | +7% | 2,780 |
| Alaska | $59K | +7% | 290 |
| Vermont | $59K | +7% | 220 |
| North Dakota | $59K | +6% | 290 |
Track payroll and timekeeping clerks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do payroll and timekeeping clerks make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $80,150 a year - that works out to about $38.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,450, and experienced payroll and timekeeping clerks can clear $119,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,098/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 68.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a payroll and timekeeping clerks salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median payroll and timekeeping clerks salary is worth about $72,586 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do payroll and timekeeping clerks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.