Job prospects Payroll Clerk in Prince Edward Island

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "payroll clerk" in Prince Edward Island or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Prince Edward Island

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Good

The employment outlook will be good for Payroll administrators (NOC 13102) in Prince Edward Island for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
  • Several positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Payroll clerks are employed across various sectors. Although, many work in public administration and with payroll service providers, payroll clerks are not specific to any one sector or industry. They perform duties that are required in all firms. Automation of payroll functions and the use of computer software that allows employees to update and record their own payroll information could prove to be an obstacle to employment growth in this occupation. As the role changes, payroll clerks may be asked to take on more duties or in some cases the payroll functions could be consolidated with other administrative roles.

Many employers require a diploma in payroll, accounting or business administration. Knowledge of payroll software, online payroll services and advanced spreadsheet skills is usually required. Payroll certification from the Canadian Payroll Association is considered an asset. Knowledge of income and payroll tax rules and employment standards could improve job prospects.

Here are some key facts about Payroll administrators in Prince Edward Island:

  • Approximately 350 people work in this occupation.
  • Payroll administrators mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 33%
    • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services (NAICS 5412): 22%
    • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 19%
    • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 7%
    • Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 6%
  • The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
    • Full-time workers: 90% compared to 84% for all occupations
    • Part-time workers: 10% compared to 16% for all occupations
  • 88% of payroll administrators work all year, while 12% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 12% compared to 51% for all occupations
    • Women: 88% compared to 49% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: 6% compared to 11% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 28% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 39% compared to 25% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: 26% compared to 17% for all occupations
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "payroll clerk" Payroll administrators (NOC 13102) or across Canada.

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Labour Market Information Survey
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