Payroll Specialist Salary in Arlington, VA (2026)

Updated 83 days ago · 20 observed active listings

Entering the field of Payroll Specialist in Arlington, VA offers a promising starting point with a trimmed average salary of $80,486. This figure is influenced by a solid demand for payroll professionals, as evidenced by 20 open positions, indicating that employers are actively seeking talent. Additionally, the wide salary range from $20,000 to $140,000 showcases a market that values experience and skills, while the high cost of living in the area compels employers to offer competitive salaries.

Salary Distribution

Key Insights

• The wide P10–P90 spread ($20,000–$140,000) reflects a diverse job market where employers are willing to pay significantly more for experienced professionals, which creates a wide disparity between entry-level and seasoned roles.
• The concentration of active employers such as FAS, RSM, and Capitol Bridge highlights a robust demand in industries that require payroll professionals, thus driving salaries upward as firms compete for skilled talent.
• With 285 positions paying $60,000 and 359 positions at $80,000, there is a strong entry-level market, suggesting that new entrants can expect starting salaries around the lower end of this range.
• The relatively low percentiles for entry-level positions ($40,000 at P10 and $60,000 at P25) indicate that while new Payroll Specialists start at lower salaries, there is upward mobility as they gain experience, typically advancing to the P75 salary range of $100,000 within 2-3 years.
• Cost of living pressures in Arlington contribute to higher employer offers, as businesses must attract talent who can afford the local housing market and living expenses.

Current Payroll Specialist Jobs in Arlington

• Payroll Specialist II (56604)
  Capitol Bridge. · South, Arlington County
  $90,000 – $110,000
• Accounting and Finance Consulting - Senior Payroll Specialist
  RSM · Mc Lean, Fairfax County
  $62,800 – $103,400
• Accounting and Finance Consulting - Sr. Associate Payroll Specialist
  RSM · Mc Lean, Fairfax County
  $62,800 – $103,400
• Sr Total Rewards Specialist
  Alpha Omega Integration · Wolf Trap, Halifax County
  $80,000 – $100,000
• Senior Payroll / Accounting Specialist
  NDI · Washington, D.C., US
  $78,600 – $98,250
• Certified Payroll Specialist
  Midtown Personnel · Washington, D.C., US
  $98,010 – $98,010
• Manager, Payroll and Benefits
  FAS · Washington, D.C., US
  $70,000 – $85,000
• Payroll and Benefits Specialist
  Childrens Law Center · Washington, D.C., US
  $65,000 – $81,000
• Payroll Processing Specialist | PM Hotel Group | Chevy Chase, MD
  PM New · Martins Additions, Montgomery County
  $65,000 – $75,000
• Retirement Plan & Payroll Specialist (Part Time)
  Navy Mutual · Arlington, Arlington County
  $70,243 – $70,243

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

Explore more about this market on the Jobs Jobs Jobs Research Blog:

• The Comprehensive Salary Guide for Cybersecurity Analysts in Chicago: 2026 Insights
• Speed Up Your Hiring Process: Practical AI Solutions for a Competitive Job Market
• Best Practices for Attracting Diverse Talent: A Comprehensive Guide
• Salary Comparison in the Logistics Industry for 2024: Insights and Trends

Other Salaries in Arlington

Payroll Specialist Salaries in Other Cities