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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Payroll administrators interpret, analyze, and comply with federal, provincial, and territorial legislation and regulations. They must have a good grasp of employment contracts, collective agreements, corporate policies, and third-party contracts.
Duties and responsibilities vary depending on the size and nature of the organization. In general, payroll administrators:
Payroll administrators may be in charge of flexible work-hour agreements, wellness programs, or other creative benefit programs. They may oversee charitable donation or savings programs, ensuring contributions are deducted from employee paycheques as authorized. They may present pay and benefit information to senior managers.
Some large organizations divide payroll tasks among several people. In small organizations, payroll administrators may have other responsibilities related to human resources management. For more information, see the Human Resources Professional occupational profile.
Payroll administrators work with computers in offices. Most work standard weekday hours. They may work overtime for specific periods, such as month-end or year-end.
Working with firm deadlines and dealing with complaints can be stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information for statistical reports, statements and summaries; in preparing T4 statements and other statements; and in maintaining records of employee attendance, leave and overtime
Interest in operating computerized systems to keep records and prepare and balance period-end reports
Interest in speaking with employees to provide information on payroll matters, benefit plans and collective agreement provisions
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Payroll administrators need:
They should enjoy using computer systems. They should be comfortable compiling, interpreting, and providing information about payroll matters, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 133 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 16, 2021 and Dec 20, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Maintain payroll | 110 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Prepare and verify statements of earnings for employees, indicating gross and net salaries and deductions such as taxes, union dues, garnishments and insurance and pension plans | 105 |
| Tasks: Maintain records of employee attendance, leave and overtime to calculate pay and benefit entitlements, using manual or computerized systems | 99 |
| Tasks: Inform employees about payroll matters and benefit plans | 88 |
| Attention to detail | 83 |
| Tasks: Store, update and retrieve financial data | 81 |
| Tasks: Complete, verify and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, leaves, share savings, employment and medical insurance | 78 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 76 |
| Tasks: Prepare and balance period-end reports and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements | 75 |
| Tasks: Perform clerical duties, such as maintain filing systems | 75 |
Most employers require payroll administrators to have related post-secondary education or work experience, or both. Some only seek applicants with a diploma or degree related to accounting, business administration, commerce, human resources, industrial relations, or psychology.
Payroll administrators need to stay up to date with evolving technologies.
Before enrolling in an education program, prospective payroll administrators should discuss their training options with potential employers.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Employers may require applicants for payroll administrator positions to be certified by the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) or willing to become certified within a specified period of time. To become a certified Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP), CPA members must have at least 1 year of work experience, have successfully completed an introductory, post-secondary accounting course, and have completed CPA’s Payroll Compliance Practitioner Certification courses. These include Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals (levels 1 and 2). The courses are offered in Alberta by the following post-secondary schools:
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Payroll administrators work for all types of public and private sector organizations. They also work for payroll service providers, which contract their services to organizations without internal payroll departments.
In larger organizations, experienced payroll administrators may advance to supervisory or management positions. The Canadian Payroll Association offers a Certified Payroll Manager program. This allows people already employed in the field to take courses online or through post-secondary schools.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Payroll administrators
2016 NOC: 1432
78.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $40.56 | $27.57 | $26.44 |
| Overall | $20.76 | $47.53 | $31.75 | $31.28 |
| Top | $23.65 | $53.85 | $34.98 | $32.94 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $59,892 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $75,991 |
| Construction | $56,682 |
| Manufacturing | $60,117 |
| Wholesale Trade | $50,498 |
| Retail Trade | $56,423 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $60,684 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $52,994 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $55,827 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $68,099 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $56,394 |
| Educational Services | $63,183 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $44,679 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $62,512 |
| Public Administration | $66,867 |
Canadian Payroll Association website: www.payroll.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
