Payroll Clerk Jobs in California
Payroll Clerk jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand across healthcare systems, entertainment studios, technology firms, and large-scale retail and logistics operations, at every level from entry-level payroll assistant through senior payroll specialist. Los Angeles, San Jose, and Sacramento account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers like Kaiser Permanente, Salesforce, and the University of California system. The most in-demand specialties in California are multi-state payroll compliance, garnishment processing, and payroll systems administration in platforms such as Workday and ADP. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Payroll Clerk
Position Type: Full Time, Employee
Salary Range: $17.00 - $24.00 hourly, DOE; may be eligible for bonus.
Location (onsite): This position based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
About the Company:
Ensign Services, Inc. (“ESI”) is a subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc. whose affiliated entities are considered national leaders in the fast-growing post-acute care industry. ESI provides service and support to over 378 facilities in the long-term care continuum that employ over 55,000 employees.
ESI is known as the “Service Center” and provides the facilities and leaders it serves with “back-office” support in areas such as accounting, construction, compliance, human resources, information technology, learning and development, legal and risk management and recruiting. This structure allows the onsite leaders and caregivers to focus on day-to-day care and operational issues in their individual operations. What sets ESI apart from other companies is the quality of our most valuable resource - our people.
We take our core values of Celebration, Accountability, Passion for Learning, Love One Another, Intelligent Risk Taking, Customer Second, and Ownership (“CAPLICO”) seriously. We want an individual in this role who will demonstrate these values through actions and words.
About the Opportunity
Ensign Services, Inc. is currently seeking a motivated and energetic Payroll Clerk to play a key role in our growing organization, as it serves the needs of our rapidly expanding health care services client base across the United States. The Junior Payroll Clerk will have a variety of routine and non-routine payroll functions for several facilities, including handling garnishments, verifications, and any overflow from the team.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Update and maintain garnishment files while working with third party vendors.
- Process and maintain all verifications of employment.
- Manage daily sorting and signing for all manual checks including fed ex delivery.
- Process manual checks for refunds of garnishments.
- Provides support to internal and external auditors as required.
- Assist with scanning, filing, and other administrative tasks as needed to support the payroll team.
- Complete additional tasks and special ad hoc projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Minimum High school diploma or equivalent.
- Associate’s degree in accounting or related field is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- High attention to detail and the ability to do well in a fast paced, multi-tasking work environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word.
- Must be a team player, motivated and able to work under pressure during peak periods.
Additional Information:
- Position Type: Full Time, Employee
- Salary Range: $17.00 - $24.00 hourly, DOE; may be eligible for bonus.
- Location: This position based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
- Pre-employment criminal background screening required
What We Offer
We are committed to providing a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical/dental/vision coverage, company-provided life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and sick/vacation plans. Additionally, enjoy access to our fully equipped onsite gym (San Juan Capistrano office location). We also believe in supporting our employee’s professional growth and development through our Learning Management System as well as training sessions and seminars.
Ensign Services, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Payroll Clerk
Position Type: Full Time, Employee
Salary Range: $17.00 - $24.00 hourly, DOE; may be eligible for bonus.
Location (onsite): This position based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
About the Company:
Ensign Services, Inc. (“ESI”) is a subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc. whose affiliated entities are considered national leaders in the fast-growing post-acute care industry. ESI provides service and support to over 378 facilities in the long-term care continuum that employ over 55,000 employees.
ESI is known as the “Service Center” and provides the facilities and leaders it serves with “back-office” support in areas such as accounting, construction, compliance, human resources, information technology, learning and development, legal and risk management and recruiting. This structure allows the onsite leaders and caregivers to focus on day-to-day care and operational issues in their individual operations. What sets ESI apart from other companies is the quality of our most valuable resource - our people.
We take our core values of Celebration, Accountability, Passion for Learning, Love One Another, Intelligent Risk Taking, Customer Second, and Ownership (“CAPLICO”) seriously. We want an individual in this role who will demonstrate these values through actions and words.
About the Opportunity
Ensign Services, Inc. is currently seeking a motivated and energetic Payroll Clerk to play a key role in our growing organization, as it serves the needs of our rapidly expanding health care services client base across the United States. The Junior Payroll Clerk will have a variety of routine and non-routine payroll functions for several facilities, including handling garnishments, verifications, and any overflow from the team.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Update and maintain garnishment files while working with third party vendors.
- Process and maintain all verifications of employment.
- Manage daily sorting and signing for all manual checks including fed ex delivery.
- Process manual checks for refunds of garnishments.
- Provides support to internal and external auditors as required.
- Assist with scanning, filing, and other administrative tasks as needed to support the payroll team.
- Complete additional tasks and special ad hoc projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Minimum High school diploma or equivalent.
- Associate’s degree in accounting or related field is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- High attention to detail and the ability to do well in a fast paced, multi-tasking work environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word.
- Must be a team player, motivated and able to work under pressure during peak periods.
Additional Information:
- Position Type: Full Time, Employee
- Salary Range: $17.00 - $24.00 hourly, DOE; may be eligible for bonus.
- Location: This position based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
- Pre-employment criminal background screening required
What We Offer
We are committed to providing a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical/dental/vision coverage, company-provided life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and sick/vacation plans. Additionally, enjoy access to our fully equipped onsite gym (San Juan Capistrano office location). We also believe in supporting our employee’s professional growth and development through our Learning Management System as well as training sessions and seminars.
Ensign Services, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 54 Payroll Clerk Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Payroll Clerk JobsPayroll Clerk Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Payroll Clerk Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Costco Wholesale52
- Ensign Services2
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail52
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces42
- Food & Beverage10
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in payroll clerk jobs across California.
- Proficiency with payroll software such as ADP, Workday, or Ceridian
- Knowledge of California wage and hour laws including meal and rest break rules
- Experience processing multi-state payroll with a focus on California compliance
- Associate degree or higher in accounting, business administration, or a related field
- Familiarity with California garnishment rules, PTO payout requirements, and final pay laws
- Strong attention to detail with experience reconciling payroll registers and tax filings
Payroll Clerk Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a payroll clerk in California?
Most payroll clerk positions in California require at minimum a high school diploma, though an associate or bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration gives candidates a clear advantage with larger employers. California does not issue a state-specific payroll license, but earning the Fundamental Payroll Certification from the American Payroll Association is widely recognized by California hiring managers. Coursework in California-specific wage and hour law is a practical differentiator when competing for roles in the state.
Which companies hire payroll clerks in California?
Employers hiring payroll clerks in California right now include Costco Wholesale and Ensign Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large healthcare networks, public university systems, and technology headquarters consistently maintain steady payroll teams year-round.
Which California cities have the most payroll clerk jobs?
San Juan Capistrano, Alhambra, and Antioch have the most payroll clerk openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its concentration of entertainment studios, healthcare systems, and corporate headquarters, while San Jose reflects the dense payroll needs of Silicon Valley technology firms, and Sacramento's volume is driven by state government agencies and the UC and CSU campus systems headquartered there.
Are there remote payroll clerk jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many comparable office roles. About 0% of payroll clerk openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how readily the work translates to digital payroll platforms. The tasks most consistently offered remotely are payroll processing, time-entry review, and employee inquiry support, while onboarding audits and system implementations are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a payroll clerk in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic starting point is an accounts payable or general accounting clerk role, which many large California employers treat as a direct pipeline into payroll. County governments and California's community college district offices regularly post entry-level payroll technician openings that do not require prior payroll experience. Completing coursework in California payroll compliance through the American Payroll Association's self-study program and earning the Fundamental Payroll Certification before applying gives candidates a concrete edge over other entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to payroll clerk jobs in California?
You can find and apply to payroll clerk jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 54 Payroll Clerk Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Payroll Clerk Jobs