Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $49,220 -11% vs national
Median hourly $23.66
10th percentile $38,000
90th percentile $68,420
Employed locally 400
National median $55,290

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,000
    25th
    $42,300
    50th (median)
    $49,220
    75th
    $59,430
    90th
    $68,420

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary vs area income 71% Median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,180
    District of Columbia $69,210
    Napa, CA $67,250
    Boulder, CO $65,520
    Vallejo, CA $64,700

    Nearby metros — Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $53,710
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $49,940
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $49,250
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,000
    Cleveland, TN $47,570
    Jackson, TN $46,930

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives$38,350
    Office Clerks, General$37,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$63,000
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$45,910
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42,120
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$37,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Knoxville, TN is $23.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.49 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salaries?

    The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Knoxville, TN is 11% below the national median of $55,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (10th percentile) earn around $38,000 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,300.