Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $63,380 +14.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.47
10th percentile $48,430
90th percentile $88,150
Employed locally 1,630
National median $55,290

Compare Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary & buying power

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,430
    25th
    $54,790
    50th (median)
    $63,380
    75th
    $76,260
    90th
    $88,150

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary vs area income 62% Median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary is 38% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,180
    Napa, CA $67,250
    Vallejo, CA $64,700
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $63,090
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $63,090

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Office Clerks, General $48,970
    Customer Service Representatives $46,940
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $53,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $72,380
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $56,730
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants $50,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in San Diego, CA is $30.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in San Diego, CA is 14.6% above 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (10th percentile) earn around $48,430 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,790.