Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $50,350 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,586 take-home, or $3,466 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median payroll and timekeeping clerk salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,862
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,122
- Medicare (1.45%)$730
- Arizona income tax$1,050
- Take-home pay$41,586
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,870 | $16.28 | $28,757 | $2,396 |
| 25th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 | $36,230 | $3,019 |
| Median (50th) | $50,350 | $24.21 | $41,586 | $3,466 |
| 75th percentile | $61,490 | $29.56 | $50,259 | $4,188 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,840 | $34.54 | $57,782 | $4,815 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,350 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median payroll and timekeeping clerk's $41,586 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,251 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk jobs are about as common in Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for payroll and timekeeping clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $50,350 | $41,586 | $40,251 |
*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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median payroll and timekeeping clerk salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $50,350 a year, or about $24.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,470 and $61,490.
What is a payroll and timekeeping clerk’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $50,350 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $41,586 a year ($3,466 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,050 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a payroll and timekeeping clerk?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $58,260. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,251 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #10 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a payroll and timekeeping clerk afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median payroll and timekeeping clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
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