sustainable energy solutions. If this aligns with your values and enthusiasm, we want to hear from you! Position Description: The Payroll Specialist is responsible for monitoring and maintaining payroll/tax regulations i…
Finance & Accounting · Portland, OR
Payroll Specialist jobs in Portland, OR
Payroll specialists make sure people are paid correctly and on time. They process pay runs, handle deductions, and keep payroll compliant with federal, state, and local requirements.
111
Open roles today
$24–$48/hr
Typical pay range
$70k
Median, full-time
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Fresh in this list
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01
Open payroll specialist roles
9 shown of 111 · sorted by freshness
$55k - $67.5k
: PROPERTY BOOKKEEPER Expanding firm is seeking a Property Bookkeeper! You will have a high level of responsibility in the day-to-day operations of the Property Accounting Department and will work very closely with and r…
What you’ll need to succeed as a Senior Specialist, Payroll at XPO Minimum qualifications : ~2 years of experience processing high-volume, multi-state payrolls across multiple legal entities ~ Strong knowledge of payroll…
$77.2k - $122.1k
multiple levels. Applicants will be considered for the level that best matches their education and experience. Right of Way Specialist: Administers all aspects of PacifiCorp’s rights of way and land rights associated wit…
$20.88 - $26.1 per hour
As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Shipping Specialist to join our award-winning specialty pharmacy team. About Ardon Health At Ardon, we are passionate about our mission to inspire people and improve lives through…
Requisition Number: 225142 Job Description Cintas is seeking a New Account Installer to successfully ensure that new customers are highly satisfied with Cintas's products and services. Responsibilities include interactin…
Service Desk (GSD) handling foundational Level 1 requests, we are elevating our on-site Tech presence. The On-Site End User Support Sr Specialist serves as the primary escalation point for the GSD and the face of Workspa…
to greatness. The next tastemakers, playmakers, risk takers and glue players. Are you game? WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH As the Senior Payroll Analyst, you will report to the Americas Payroll Director. This team drives accurate,…
$29.41 - $31.25 per hour
has real impact? At Xenium HR, we’re on a mission to transform workplaces for the better. You’ll join a team of passionate HR, Payroll, and Benefits professionals working with small and medium-sized businesses across the…
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What payroll specialists earn in Portland
Hourly first — that's how the offer arrives
| Experience | Hourly | Annual, full-time |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $24–$31 | $50k–$64k |
| Mid level | $29–$38 | $61k–$79k |
| Senior | $37–$48 | $77k–$99k |
Adjusted for the Portland market from national ranges.
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What employers ask for
The skills these listings keep naming
Payroll processingADP, Paychex, or WorkdayMulti-state payroll taxWage and hour complianceGarnishments and deductionsBenefits administration basicsExcelDiscretion and confidentialityAccuracy under deadlines
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Interview questions worth rehearsing
With the thing the interviewer is actually listening for
Walk me through a full payroll cycle you have run.
Cover collecting time data, validating changes, processing, review, and post-run reporting. Emphasize your checks before anything is finalized.
How do you handle a payroll error after employees have been paid?
Show urgency and correctness: quantify the error, follow the legal rules for corrections, communicate honestly with those affected, and fix the root cause.
What experience do you have with multi-state payroll?
Name the states and the wrinkles you managed, such as local taxes, differing overtime rules, or remote-worker registrations.
How do you process garnishments and other involuntary deductions?
Show you know the order of priority, response deadlines, and the documentation trail, and that you treat these with strict confidentiality.
Which payroll systems have you used, and have you been through a conversion?
Name the platforms and your depth in each. Conversion or implementation experience is a strong differentiator worth detailing.
How do you keep payroll data confidential?
Mention access controls, clean-desk habits, and declining to discuss compensation outside proper channels, even under social pressure.
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Resume tips that move the needle
For payroll specialists specifically — generic advice costs you here
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State the payroll size you ran: employee count, pay frequencies, and number of states or entities.
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Quantify accuracy, such as error rates or consecutive on-time pay runs, since that is the core promise of the role.
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Name your platforms exactly — ADP Workforce Now, Paychex Flex, Workday, Gusto — as job posts filter on them.
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Include compliance wins, like clean payroll tax filings, resolved agency notices, or year-end W-2 cycles delivered without corrections.
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List certifications such as FPC or CPP; they carry real weight in payroll hiring.
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Where this role goes
Typical progression
01
Payroll Clerk
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Payroll Specialist
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Senior Payroll Specialist
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Payroll Manager
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