Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $62,190 +12.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.90
10th percentile $34,880
90th percentile $82,390
Employed locally 140
National median $55,290

Compare Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary & buying power

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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,880
    25th
    $48,590
    50th (median)
    $62,190
    75th
    $74,350
    90th
    $82,390

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary vs area income 57% Median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary is 43% 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $63,380
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $63,090

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Office Clerks, General $48,430
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $55,480
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $60,220
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $74,620
    Customer Service Representatives $47,240
    Receptionists and Information Clerks $40,650

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Santa Cruz, CA is $29.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 12.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (10th percentile) earn around $34,880 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,590.