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Payroll Directors

Earnings

Earnings for those employed as payroll directors vary widely, depending on size of the organization, the magnitude of the job, whether the director is considered a member of the executive management team, and the education and experience of the specific employee. The Department of Labor does not have a specific category for payroll directors, but parallels may be drawn to compensation and benefits managers, described by the DOL as those who plan, develop, and oversee programs to determine how and how much employees are paid. In May 2023, compensation and benefits managers averaged about $140,360 per year, with salaries ranging from $81,660 or less to more than $239,200, which is indicative of the significant range. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the median annual salary for a payroll director is $116,415 as of April 2025, with the range between $57,500 and $165,000.

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