Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks score 84 out of 100, which is very high exposure to AI. That ranks #22 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 22 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 15 on its own and 7 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 3 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

84/ 100

Very high

Rank: #22of 923 jobs
US workers: 153,140BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $58,260a year
In real AI use: 3 of 22tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 15 (68%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 7 (32%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Complete time sheets showing employees' arrival and departure times.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Prepare and file payroll tax returns.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Balance cash and payroll accounts.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Post relevant work hours to client files to bill clients properly.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Complete, verify, and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits, such as pension plans, and unemployment and medical insurance.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Coordinate special programs, such as United Way campaigns, that involve payroll deductions.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Provide information to employees and managers on payroll matters, tax issues, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct verifications of employment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Compile statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts, and submit them to appropriate departments.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Train employees on organizations' timekeeping systems.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task

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Questions about payroll and timekeeping clerks and AI

Will AI replace payroll and timekeeping clerks?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks score 84 out of 100 (very high exposure), #22 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 22 of the job's 22 tasks, 15 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which payroll and timekeeping clerks tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records"; "Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers"; "Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system".

Which payroll and timekeeping clerks tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 7 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 3 of the 22 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as payroll and timekeeping clerks, and what do they earn?

About 153,140 people in the US, with median pay of $58,260 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.