13102 – Payroll administrators

Lead statement

Payroll administrators collect, verify and process payroll information, determine pay and benefit entitlements for employees, maintain accurate payroll records, and provide payroll information within a department, company or other establishment.

Main duties

• Maintain and update employee information, such as records of employee attendance, leave and overtime to calculate pay and benefit entitlements, in Canadian and other currencies, using manual or computerized systems
• Prepare and verify statements of earnings for employees, indicating gross and net salaries and deductions such as taxes, union dues, garnishments and insurance and pension plans
• Prepare, verify and process all employee payroll related payments, including regular pay, benefit payments, and special payments such as bonuses and vacation pay
• Complete, verify and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, leaves, share savings, employment and medical insurance
• Prepare payroll related filings and supporting documentation, such as year-end tax statements, pension, Records of Employment and other statements
• Provide information on payroll matters, benefit plans and collective agreement provisions
• Compile, review, and monitor statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts
• Prepare and balance period-end reports and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements
• Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies
• May be responsible for the development or implementation of payroll policies, procedures or processes.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of college or other courses in accounting, bookkeeping or payroll administration orexperience in payroll administration is usually required.
• Payroll association certification may be required.
• Experience using a payroll system or software may be required.

Example job titles

assistant paymaster · benefits officer - payroll administration · pay accounts clerk · pay advisor · pay and benefits administrator · pay and benefits clerk · pay clerk · payroll clerk · pay verifier · payroll machine operator · payroll officer · salary administration officer · timekeeper - payroll · account records clerk - payroll · benefits and pension plan officer · superannuation clerk - government · payroll administrator · payroll technician

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.