$40 per hour
job summary: We are seeking an Immediate-Start Senior Payroll Specialist to jump in and streamline domestic payroll operations for a rapidly growing tech company. This fast-paced role requires an ADP Workforce Now expert…
Finance & Accounting · San Jose, CA
Payroll Specialist jobs in San Jose, 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.
70
Open roles today
$30–$60/hr
Typical pay range
$88k
Median, full-time
6
Fresh in this list
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01
Open payroll specialist roles
12 shown of 70 · sorted by freshness
$15 - $20 per hour
Description We are seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Entry-Level Accounting & Payroll Clerk to join our team remotely. This position is ideal for someone looking to begin or build their career in accounting, payro…
We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to support accurate and timely payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce in San Jose, California. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for someone who brings stron…
$85.8k - $140.96k
Role SummaryExecutes channel marketing activities and manages partner engagement by developing marketing collateral, coordinating product launch logistics, and tracking the effectiveness of partner campaigns. Maintains r…
solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision. Your Career As a Senior Payroll Analyst, you will ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll in all its aspe…
We are seeking an organized Remote Booking Specialist to assist clients with researching available options and coordinating reservations through online platforms. Responsibilities Communicate with clients regarding their…
$18.7 - $20 per hour
members on photo department operations and services to ensure adequate coverage and operational continuity during times when the Photo Specialist is not scheduled. • Follows company policies, asset protection standards,…
$80k - $95k
solutions for the major Primes and Tier-1’s across the aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding sectors. By integrating our supplier specialists directly within supply chain networks, we deliver a level of oversight and enga…
$30 - $38 per hour
▶︎ Job Details ・Job Title: Experienced Tax Staff (Japanese Bilingual) ・Client: Accounting Firm ・Working Location: Remote or San Jose ・Working Style: Mostly remote ・Employment Type: Non-Exempt (Overtime paid after 40 Hour…
$31.25 per hour
AST Specialist About Morgan Autism Center Morgan Autism Center provides a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment where individuals impacted by autism or other developmental disabilities are accepted and celebrated for w…
$2,000 per month
applies to client-facing positions and will be awarded upon successful completion of the language test. JOB TITLE: Recovery Specialist (Over-night) LOCATION: Mission Street Recovery Station San Jose, CA Employment Type:…
$25 - $32 per hour
Veterinary Billing Specialist $25-32/hour Temporary opportunity in Campbell, California Schedule: 4 10-hour shifts. Weekdays. Compensation is based on experience and skill set. Why Join SAGE Campbell At SAGE Campbell, pa…
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What payroll specialists earn in San Jose
Hourly first — that's how the offer arrives
| Experience | Hourly | Annual, full-time |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $30–$38 | $62k–$80k |
| Mid level | $37–$48 | $76k–$99k |
| Senior | $47–$60 | $97k–$124k |
Adjusted for the San Jose market from national ranges.
03
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
04
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
01
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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