BLS OEWS May 2025
Payroll Manager salary, Kentucky
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The median annual wage for Payroll Manager in Kentucky is $63,180 (BLS, May 2025, First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers, SOC 43-1011). That is $6,320 (9.1%) below the U.S. median of $69,500.
Broader occupation
BLS reports Payroll Manager 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 | $41,350 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th | $48,560 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $63,180 | Half earned less and half earned more. |
| 75th | $80,470 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th | $99,330 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $67,370 | Average wage across all workers. |
| Percentile | Wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,610 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th | $55,950 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $69,500 | Half earned less and half earned more. |
| 75th | $85,090 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th | $104,710 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $73,490 | 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
- 19,670
- Location quotient
- 1.06
What changed since May 2024
| Release | Median |
|---|---|
| BLS OEWS May 2024 | $61,130 |
| BLS OEWS May 2025 | $63,180 |
The published medians differ by $2,050. 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. A discretionary annual, retention or sign-on bonus is not the same as a production bonus. Ask what earns each payment before comparing the offer with this table. Equity is separate from the cash wage shown here. State those terms alongside base pay; the BLS percentile does not price them for you.
Pay up and down the role ladder
BLS uses a different occupation for these related jobs. A higher percentile is not a promotion level. Compare the duties and the SOC before comparing the wages.
- Payroll Clerk: SOC 43-3051 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
- Payroll Specialist: SOC 43-3051 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
- Payroll Administrator: SOC 43-3051 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Recruiter's read
Qualitative view from our desk. Not BLS data.
For Payroll Manager, discuss the work behind these requirements: Multi-state taxes, garnishments, union payroll; CPP or FPC. Ask what the person completed themselves and what a manager or specialist reviewed. A system name on a resume does not establish depth in that workflow. The BLS figure describes the listed occupation, not a separately measured rate for this exact opening.
Common questions
What is the median annual wage for Payroll Manager?
$63,180 in Kentucky, KY, based on BLS May 2025 data for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers (SOC 43-1011).
What does the middle half of workers earn?
The 25th percentile is $48,560 and the 75th percentile is $80,470 in Kentucky, KY. That is where the middle half of workers in this occupation fall.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimates 19,670 workers in First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers in Kentucky, KY.
How much do the highest paid workers earn?
The 90th percentile is $99,330. 10% of workers earned more.
Does BLS publish this exact title?
BLS reports Payroll Manager 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 Manager in Kentucky, 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.