Entry Level Payroll Lead Jobs
New grad payroll lead jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or hands-on coursework in payroll processing can carry more weight than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Staffing & Recruiting, Technology & Software, and Healthcare & Medical Services, with employers like Jobot, TikTok, and Deltek hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Entry Level Payroll Lead jobs
JOB TITLE: Payroll Analyst
LOCATION: Foster City, CA (onsite)
PAY RANGE: $55 - $65/hr
DURATION: 6 months
TOP SKILLS:
- One or more years of payroll processing experience
- Knowledge of payroll administration and related compliances
- Deep user knowledge of the Workday Payroll platform. Payroll specific
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for accurate and timely payroll processing for the company’s operations, assisting in month-end close activities, under the guidance of the Senior Payroll Manager.
Responsibilities:
- End-to-end payroll processing from data entry and timecard validations to check distributions
- Point of contact for employees’ payroll questions and concerns
- Assistance with maintaining employee/payment records, timekeeping records, etc.
- Partnership with People, Benefits, Finance, and other departments, as appropriate
- Year-end communication and reconciliations
- Responding to government inquiries, including wage verification, garnishment orders, etc.
- Benefit audits and coordination with People/Benefits and 3rd party vendors
- Leave of Absence Payment Calculation and entries
- Other payroll-related tasks upon request
QUALIFICATIONS
- One or more years of payroll processing experience
- Education requirement: Associate Degree
- Knowledge of payroll administration and related compliances
- Attention to detail and diligence are a must
- Understanding the importance of confidentiality
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel and Word; VLOOKUP and pivot are strongly preferred
- Strong communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Workday Payroll experience is required
- Accounting or HR background is a plus
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
FAIR CHANCE POLICY:
Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.
JOB TITLE: Payroll Analyst
LOCATION: Foster City, CA (onsite)
PAY RANGE: $55 - $65/hr
DURATION: 6 months
TOP SKILLS:
- One or more years of payroll processing experience
- Knowledge of payroll administration and related compliances
- Deep user knowledge of the Workday Payroll platform. Payroll specific
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for accurate and timely payroll processing for the company’s operations, assisting in month-end close activities, under the guidance of the Senior Payroll Manager.
Responsibilities:
- End-to-end payroll processing from data entry and timecard validations to check distributions
- Point of contact for employees’ payroll questions and concerns
- Assistance with maintaining employee/payment records, timekeeping records, etc.
- Partnership with People, Benefits, Finance, and other departments, as appropriate
- Year-end communication and reconciliations
- Responding to government inquiries, including wage verification, garnishment orders, etc.
- Benefit audits and coordination with People/Benefits and 3rd party vendors
- Leave of Absence Payment Calculation and entries
- Other payroll-related tasks upon request
QUALIFICATIONS
- One or more years of payroll processing experience
- Education requirement: Associate Degree
- Knowledge of payroll administration and related compliances
- Attention to detail and diligence are a must
- Understanding the importance of confidentiality
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel and Word; VLOOKUP and pivot are strongly preferred
- Strong communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Workday Payroll experience is required
- Accounting or HR background is a plus
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
FAIR CHANCE POLICY:
Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Insurance
Entry Level Payroll Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level payroll lead job?
Start by building familiarity with payroll software like ADP, Workday, or Paychex through coursework, certification programs, or internships. Employers hiring at the entry level typically look for candidates who understand payroll fundamentals, attention to detail, and basic compliance awareness. A certificate in payroll administration or even a relevant accounting internship can give you a clear edge over candidates with no hands-on experience.
Which companies hire entry level payroll leads?
Companies hiring entry level payroll leads right now include Jobot, TikTok, and Deltek, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from mid-size businesses, staffing firms, healthcare organizations, and retail chains that need dedicated payroll support but are willing to train the right candidate.
Are there remote entry level payroll lead jobs?
Yes, though on-site roles still make up the majority at the entry level. About 22% of entry level payroll lead openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, giving candidates flexibility depending on the employer and industry. Remote postings often require demonstrated experience with cloud-based payroll platforms, so highlighting any software proficiency in your application helps.
Are these new grad payroll lead jobs?
Yes, many of these listings are new grad and junior roles that welcome candidates with little to no professional payroll experience. A new grad-friendly posting typically calls for zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or academic projects as qualifying background, and may mention on-the-job training. If a posting lists a payroll certificate or related degree as sufficient, it is almost always open to recent graduates.
Which industries hire the most entry level payroll leads?
Entry Level payroll lead roles concentrate in Staffing & Recruiting, Technology & Software, and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors tend to have large hourly workforces, complex pay schedules, or high employee turnover, all of which create steady demand for entry level payroll support even during slower hiring periods.