BLS OEWS May 2025
Payroll Analyst salary, California
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The median annual wage for Payroll Analyst in California is $65,340 (BLS, May 2025, Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks, SOC 43-3051). That is $7,080 (12.2%) above the U.S. median of $58,260.
Broader occupation
BLS reports Payroll Analyst within a broader occupation. It does not publish separate wages for this exact title, credentials, seniority or industry. Compare the listed SOC duties with your actual role before using this range.
| Percentile | Wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,120 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th | $56,230 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $65,340 | Half earned less and half earned more. |
| 75th | $78,870 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th | $92,080 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $68,580 | Average wage across all workers. |
| Percentile | Wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,500 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th | $47,990 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $58,260 | Half earned less and half earned more. |
| 75th | $69,600 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th | $81,350 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $59,630 | Average wage across all workers. |
What BLS wages include and exclude
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
- Employment, area
- 20,590
- Location quotient
- 1.15
What changed since May 2024
| Release | Median |
|---|---|
| BLS OEWS May 2024 | $61,670 |
| BLS OEWS May 2025 | $65,340 |
The published medians differ by $3,670. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2024 and May 2025. This is not an annualized growth claim. Area definitions and the workers represented can change.
What belongs in the pay comparison
OEWS includes straight-time gross wages, guaranteed pay, commissions and production bonuses. It excludes overtime, nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits. If this person covers a payroll deadline, an overdue billing queue or a late close, the overtime bill is separate. A shift differential is also excluded. Compare the regular wage first, then explain the extra hours and any incentive in the offer rather than hide them inside one annual amount.
Recruiter's read
Qualitative view from our desk. Not BLS data.
BLS reports Payroll Analyst within a broader occupation. It does not publish separate wages for this exact title, credentials, seniority or industry. Compare the listed SOC duties with your actual role before using this range.
Common questions
What is the median annual wage for Payroll Analyst?
$65,340 in California, CA, based on BLS May 2025 data for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (SOC 43-3051).
What does the middle half of workers earn?
The 25th percentile is $56,230 and the 75th percentile is $78,870 in California, CA. That is where the middle half of workers in this occupation fall.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimates 20,590 workers in Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in California, CA.
How much do the highest paid workers earn?
The 90th percentile is $92,080. 10% of workers earned more.
Does BLS publish this exact title?
BLS reports Payroll Analyst within a broader occupation. It does not publish separate wages for this exact title, credentials, seniority or industry. Compare the listed SOC duties with your actual role before using this range.
Related areas and roles
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Payroll Analyst in California, from BLS data.
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BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. These are published occupation estimates, not a quote for an exact niche title. Tool calculations use BLS values or your inputs, not predictions.