Explore Payroll Specialist Jobs

Find Payroll Specialist opportunities that match your experience in payroll processing, compliance, reporting, and employee support. Ladders features vetted professional roles with compensation of $100,000 or more, including senior and leadership-level positions for payroll experts.

What Payroll Specialists Do

Payroll Specialists help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. Their work may include managing payroll cycles, reviewing time and attendance data, maintaining employee records, resolving pay questions, and preparing payroll reports. Depending on the organization and role level, they may also oversee payroll systems, coordinate with HR and finance teams, and support audits.

Skills and Experience Employers Seek

Employers commonly look for strong attention to detail, discretion with sensitive information, and knowledge of payroll processes and applicable regulations. Experience with payroll platforms, HRIS tools, spreadsheet analysis, tax and benefits deductions, reconciliations, and multi-state or international payroll can be valuable. Senior roles may require team leadership, process improvement, and experience managing complex payroll operations.

Payroll Specialist Career Opportunities

Payroll career paths can lead to senior payroll specialist, payroll analyst, payroll manager, or payroll operations leadership roles. Opportunities vary by industry and organization size, with responsibilities shaped by workforce complexity, systems, and regulatory requirements. Browse current listings to find roles aligned with your background and career goals.

Find $100K+ Payroll Specialist Jobs on Ladders

Use Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Review role requirements, compare positions, and identify openings that fit your payroll expertise and next career step.

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1
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$89K - $111K *

Grow your career with us by managing full-cycle recruitment for diverse roles, partnering with hiring managers, and leveraging market insights to enhance talent acquisition strategies and candidate ex...

CanadaRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $250K *

Lead the charge in managing complex M&A projects and cross-functional initiatives, driving execution from planning to completion while fostering collaboration and alignment among diverse stakeholders...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$149K - $240K *

Help us build robust data foundations by designing Postgres schemas and optimizing transactional models. Collaborate with teams to ensure reliable data systems and mentor engineers in data fluency, en...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $120K *

Transform your career by joining a dynamic IT Services team as a ServiceNow System Administrator. Collaborate with stakeholders to design and enhance enterprise solutions, ensuring optimal performance...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $100K *

Take ownership of client-facing projects, ensuring alignment with objectives and operational excellence. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement while managing client relationsh...

Overland Park, KSRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $156K *

Drive data excellence by leading analytics initiatives, enhancing governance, and integrating systems. Collaborate with leadership to deliver impactful insights and ensure compliance while leveraging...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$78K - $105K *

Lead the charge in financial planning and analysis, overseeing daily operations and team performance. Ensure accurate budgeting and reporting while collaborating cross-functionally to support organiza...

North Carolina, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$66K - $106K *

Join a dynamic team to lead software development initiatives, ensuring on-time project delivery while leveraging COBOL and mainframe expertise to support impactful defense payroll systems. Drive innov...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive operational excellence by managing initiatives for machine learning models and AI features. Collaborate across teams to optimize processes, monitor KPIs, and enhance data-driven decision-making...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$71K - $116K *

Unlock your potential as a key player in financial reporting and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance internal controls, analyze financial data, and support strategic decisio...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$93K - $137K *

Elevate your career by leading initiatives that drive innovation and performance, overseeing multifaceted projects that impact our operations, and collaborating across teams to achieve strategic objec...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $140K *

Champion the evolution of Medicaid consulting by driving advanced funding and procurement strategies, ensuring impactful deliveries, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders and project teams ac...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $100K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of developers to deliver high-quality software solutions, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving strategic project initiatives while fostering a cultur...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$95K - $115K *

Take ownership of financial and operational analysis for strategic initiatives, delivering critical insights and reporting to support executive decision-making while driving accuracy and efficiency in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $160K *

Deliver impactful financial management solutions by leading a team of 8-10 professionals in federal financial systems. Engage with stakeholders to analyze data, support decision-making, and ensure suc...

Arlington, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Transform the onboarding experience for enterprise customers by leading seamless implementations, balancing technical demands with stakeholder communication, and driving effective project management t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$96K - $135K *

Champion exceptional participant experiences by leading a dynamic team in equity compensation services. Drive operational excellence, ensure compliance, and enhance service delivery while fostering te...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$177K - $260K *

Elevate your career by leading product design and strategy for innovative financial solutions. Shape user experiences and leverage AI as a founding member to drive impactful change in wealth managemen...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $148K *

Transform your career by enhancing Procure-to-Pay systems, collaborating with Finance teams, and driving automation initiatives. Leverage your analytical skills to improve processes and ensure complia...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$157K - $298K *

Transform HR technology strategy by leading Workday HCM Core and Security initiatives. Drive governance, optimize processes, and ensure compliance while enhancing user experience and data integrity ac...

Arkansas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $170K *

Join a dynamic team to oversee and enhance our revenue operations, analyzing and improving performance across marketing, sales, and finance to drive growth and optimize revenue streams in a collaborat...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $110K *

Analyze HRIS functionality and data integrity to align technology with business needs, collaborating with stakeholders and vendors to optimize systems and enhance user experience across HR processes a...

Westmont, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $216K *

Engage with clients as a NERC CIP Subject Matter Expert, leading project workstreams and driving compliance solutions. Foster industry relationships and support business development to enhance client...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$112K - $150K *

Transform the future of program management by leading strategic initiatives, overseeing budgets, and fostering strong client relationships. Drive operational excellence and ensure program outcomes ali...

Richmond, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $248K *

Champion client engagement and operational excellence by managing consulting teams, driving quality standards, and fostering relationships within Military Health Systems. Lead new business development...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Payroll Specialist do?question toggle

    A Payroll Specialist helps process payroll accurately and on schedule, maintains payroll records, reviews time and pay data, addresses employee questions, and may prepare reports or support compliance and audits.

  • What qualifications are common for Payroll Specialist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers often value payroll experience, careful handling of confidential data, familiarity with payroll or HRIS software, strong analytical skills, and knowledge of relevant payroll procedures and regulations.

  • What skills are important for a Payroll Specialist?question toggle

    Attention to detail, accuracy, discretion, organization, communication, and problem-solving are important. Experience with payroll systems, reconciliations, reporting, and complex or multi-state payroll may also be useful.

  • What career paths are available for Payroll Specialists?question toggle

    Payroll Specialists may advance into senior specialist, payroll analyst, payroll manager, or payroll operations leadership positions, depending on their experience and interests.

  • Are there Payroll Specialist jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Yes. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior payroll and payroll leadership opportunities. Availability and requirements vary by employer and location.