Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary in Atlanta, GA
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $62,710 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,936 take-home, or $4,161 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median payroll and timekeeping clerk salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,888
- Medicare (1.45%)$909
- Georgia income tax$2,632
- Take-home pay$49,936
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,820 | $21.07 | $35,738 | $2,978 |
| 25th percentile | $51,890 | $24.95 | $41,803 | $3,484 |
| Median (50th) | $62,710 | $30.15 | $49,936 | $4,161 |
| 75th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 | $55,058 | $4,588 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 | $60,831 | $5,069 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,710 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median payroll and timekeeping clerk's $49,936 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,907 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.5× the national concentration of payroll and timekeeping clerk jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for payroll and timekeeping clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #1 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $49,936 | $49,907 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $60,230 | $50,575 | $49,059 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $66,930 | $52,789 | $48,758 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $62,920 | $49,766 | $48,039 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,810 | $47,628 | $46,442 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $54,090 | $45,641 | $46,276 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,040 | $51,603 | $45,439 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $63,500 | $50,370 | $44,748 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
About the job: payroll and timekeeping clerks
Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees’ time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -15.9% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a payroll and timekeeping clerk make in Atlanta, GA?
The median payroll and timekeeping clerk salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $62,710 a year, or about $30.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,890 and $69,990.
What is a payroll and timekeeping clerk’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $62,710 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $49,936 a year ($4,161 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,632 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a payroll and timekeeping clerk?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $58,260. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,907 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #1 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a payroll and timekeeping clerk afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median payroll and timekeeping clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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