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…
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.
164
Open roles today
$30–$61/hr
Typical pay range
$89k
Median, full-time
5
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01
Open payroll specialist roles
12 shown of 164 · sorted by freshness
$75k - $95k
: We are seeking a skilled Bookkeeper to join our team in the accounting department. As a bookkeeper, you will play a vital role in maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations…
$180k - $230k
business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems.About the Role We are seeking a GSOC Response & Policy Program Specialist to define how Anthropic's Global Security Operations Center detects, responds to,…
$30 - $38 per hour
Job: Accounts Payable Specialist Location: San Francisco, CA Onsite: 1x in office per week Hourly Pay: $30-$38 / hour, depending on experience Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).…
Accounts Payable Clerk Quince & Co. | San Francisco, CA Quince & Co. is seeking a detail-oriented AP Clerk to support the financial operations of one of San Francisco's leading restaurant groups. Working closely with our…
$10,416.67 per month
Reports to: Head of School Hours: Full-Time, Exempt The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By ex…
$23 - $29 per hour
FocusKPI is seeking an Admin Specialist and Receptionist (Receptionist + EA) to join one of our clients, a high-tech SaaS company. This position is for the Operations Management department within the client's company. Wo…
$30 per hour
Accounts Payable Specialist 3365043 ~ Hourly pay: $30/hr ~ Worksite: Leading medical institution (San Francisco, CA 94103 - Onsite) ~ W2 Employment, Group Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement Savings Program, PSL ~4…
$20 - $29.98 per hour
excellent time management, and the ability to handle deadlines. Essential Functions: Manage the administration of weekly payroll to the corporate payroll department. Processing the daily deposit and balancing the books.…
$85k - $110k
Job Details: Payroll Specialist Responsibilities: Payroll - Process semi-monthly and off-cycle payroll ensuring accurate pay calculations, deductions, and tax withholdings - Review and audit timesheets prior to payroll p…
$24 - $25 per hour
Job Title: Housing Specialist Location: San Francisco, California Type: Contract To Hire Compensation: $24-$25/Hour Contractor Work Model: Onsite Hours: 8a-5p, M-F Job Summary The Housing Specialist supports low-income f…
$172k - $215k
About Gusto At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff—like payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR—so owners can focus on their craft and customers. With teams in Denver…
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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
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Payroll Specialist
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Senior Payroll Specialist
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Payroll Manager
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