Robert Half is seeking a Legal Billing Specialist for our client, a local law firm. This contract-to-hire role offers a strong opportunity for professional growth as part of a reputable firm committed to excellence in le…
Finance & Accounting · San Francisco, CA
Payroll Specialist jobs in San Francisco, CA
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.
140
Open roles today
$30–$61/hr
Typical pay range
$89k
Median, full-time
9
Fresh in this list
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Open payroll specialist roles
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We are hiring a Bilingual Chinese Administrative Professional to support office operations and communicate effectively with Chinese-speaking clients or business partners.Responsibilities:Provide administrative support in…
We are looking for an experienced CPP Sr. Payroll Specialist to oversee accurate and timely payroll operations for a mid-sized employee population in California. This position is ideal for someone who can manage end-to-e…
$57k - $201.7k
Specialist- Villeda Lab Department of Anatomy University of California, San FranciscoThe Villeda lab is seeking a Junior/Assistant/Associate/Full Specialist to join our group and contribute to new and ongoing projects. T…
$105.4k - $207k
Position Summary Our Deloitte Enterprise Performance team is at the forefront of enterprise technology, working across finance, supply chain, and IT operations to deliver holistic performance improvement and digital tran…
Homeless Services, Technical Support SpecialistICF’s Homeless Services team works with federal agencies, state and local governments, non-profits, and other community partners to implement evidence-based best practices a…
Office Specialist - Property ManagementBrief Job Description:The Office Specialist in Property Management provides administrative and office support for property operations, tenant communication, vendor coordination, and…
About the Role & Team The Payroll Operations Specialist supports the compliance infrastructure that keeps our customers’ payroll operations running smoothly. You’ll own operational workflows across state registrations, e…
About Gusto At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff — payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR — so owners can focus on their craft and their customers. With teams in D…
support for complex infrastructure projects. Position Summary Dabri is seeking an experienced Billing & Invoice Verification Specialist – Facilities Construction/Vendor Services to support Airport facility contracts and…
$60k - $70k
Life at PE: Perkins Eastman is a global architectural design practice with expertise in all aspects of the built environment, working at all scales, and at every level of detail. With studios in twenty-six locations worl…
$153k - $190k
solve today unlock the opportunities of tomorrow. The challenges we solve today unlock the opportunities of tomorrow. As our Workday Payroll/ HCM Manager, you’ll shape how 2,000 employees experience Workday across the gl…
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What payroll specialists earn in San Francisco
Hourly first — that's how the offer arrives
| Experience | Hourly | Annual, full-time |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $30–$39 | $63k–$81k |
| Mid level | $37–$49 | $77k–$101k |
| Senior | $47–$61 | $98k–$126k |
Adjusted for the San Francisco 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
02
Payroll Specialist
03
Senior Payroll Specialist
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Payroll Manager
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