Find Payroll Specialist Jobs Across Canada
Browse payroll specialist, payroll administrator, and payroll manager jobs across Canada. Find roles at Canadian companies managing employee compensation, CRA remittances, and benefits.
## Payroll Specialist Jobs in Canada
Payroll professionals are essential to every Canadian business that employs staff. Payroll specialists ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, source deductions are remitted correctly to the CRA, and the company stays compliant with federal and provincial employment standards. It is a detail-driven, compliance-critical role that sits at the intersection of HR and accounting.
## What Does a Payroll Specialist Do in Canada?
- Processing weekly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly payroll for salaried and hourly employees
- Calculating and remitting CPP, EI, and income tax source deductions to the CRA
- Managing year-end payroll tasks: T4 slips, T4 summaries, and ROEs (Records of Employment)
- Administering employee benefits deductions (health, dental, RRSP matching)
- Responding to employee payroll inquiries and resolving discrepancies
- Maintaining payroll records in compliance with provincial record-keeping requirements
- Managing garnishments, taxable benefits, and bonus payroll runs
## Payroll Software Used by Canadian Employers
Canadian employers most commonly use these payroll systems:
- ADP Workforce Now – Most widely used enterprise payroll system in Canada
- Ceridian Dayforce – Used by mid-size and large Canadian employers
- Payworks – Popular with Canadian SMBs
- Humi – Growing Canadian HR/payroll platform for SMBs
- QuickBooks Payroll – Used by small businesses already on QBO
## Payroll Specialist Salary in Canada
| Role | Salary Range |
| Payroll Administrator | $45,000 – $60,000 |
| Payroll Specialist | $55,000 – $75,000 |
| Senior Payroll Specialist | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Payroll Manager | $85,000 – $115,000 |
## Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a certification for payroll jobs in Canada?
The National Payroll Institute (NPI) offers the PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) and PLP (Payroll Leadership Professional) designations. While not always required, the PCP is strongly preferred by most Canadian employers for payroll roles.
Is payroll a growing field in Canada?
Yes. As Canadian employment grows and payroll regulations become more complex (particularly around ROEs, CRA reporting, and benefits compliance), the demand for skilled payroll professionals continues to increase.
What is the difference between a payroll administrator and a payroll specialist?
Payroll administrators typically handle processing and data entry for a single employer. Payroll specialists often manage more complex payrolls, multi-provincial compliance, and system administration tasks.