SOC 43-3051 · State College, PA metro

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in State College, PA

The average salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks in State College, Pennsylvania is $54,330 a year ($26.12 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $50,550: half of the 70 people in this job in the State College, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($59,630).

$54,330average per year

$26.12 / hourMedian $50,550Take-home ≈ $44,166

  • $35K10th
  • $45K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $77K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
-9%vs U.S. average
#8 of 14Pennsylvania metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay range in State College

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,110 a year or less, while the top 10% make $77,070 or more. The middle half of payroll and timekeeping clerks in State College earn between $45,160 and $61,990.

  • $35K10th
  • $45K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $77K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$54,330$4,528$26.12
Median$50,550$4,212$24.30
Entry level (25th percentile)$45,160$3,763$21.71
Experienced (75th percentile)$61,990$5,166$29.80

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Payroll and timekeeping clerks in State College earn 4% less than the Pennsylvania average ($56,880) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($59,630). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $58,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
State College$54,330$50,550$35,110$77,07070
Pennsylvania$56,880$55,690$39,630$76,9805,170
United States$59,630$58,260$39,500$81,350153,140

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary after taxes in State College

On the average salary of $54,330, a single filer in State College takes home about $44,166 a year, or $3,681 a month and $1,699 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is State College a good place for payroll and timekeeping clerks? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $54,330 buys what about $56,148 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $54,330 is worth in another city

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in other Pennsylvania cities

State College ranks 8th of 14 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($60,770).

All Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for payroll and timekeeping clerks

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($84,640).

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary by city

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in State College: questions

How much do payroll and timekeeping clerks make an hour in State College?

$26.12 an hour on average, and $24.30 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level payroll and timekeeping clerks salary in State College?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,110 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,160, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the payroll and timekeeping clerks take-home pay in State College?

About $44,166 a year ($3,681 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $54,330. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do payroll and timekeeping clerks earn more in State College than elsewhere?

The average here is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($59,630).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-3051; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.00, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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