How Much Does a Payment Processor Make? (2025)
A payment processor is responsible for handling, processing, and reconciling financial transactions, including debits and credits, to ensure accurate payment records. This role requires attention to detail, following established procedures, and resolving payment discrepancies with care and accuracy.
According to Salary.com, a payment processor earns a national average of $31,301 per year or $15 per hour in the United States.
Use this salary guide to learn more about payment processor salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Payment Processor's Salary?
As of October 2025, the average payment processor salary in the United States is $31,301 per year or $15 per hour. The salary range for payment processor is between $27,671 and $36,077, with most earnings of $29,401 to $33,801 per year.
The median payment processor salary reflects a stable and competitive income for skilled payment processors in this field.
2025 Average Salary for Payment Processor: $31,301 per year ($15 per hour)
A payment processor reported an average monthly salary of $2,608, while the average weekly pay is $602. Moreover, the average payment processor salary per hour is $15, according to the recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $13 | $532 | $2,306 | $27,671 |
| 25th Percentile | $14 | $565 | $2,450 | $29,401 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $15 | $602 | $2,608 | $31,301 |
| 75th Percentile | $16 | $650 | $2,817 | $33,801 |
| 90th Percentile | $17 | $694 | $3,006 | $36,077 |
In addition to base pay, payment processors often receive overtime pay, which significantly boosts their income. The average total compensation, including overtime and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, reaches $50,845 per year in the U.S., making this a financially rewarding career for those who qualify.
Payment Processor Salaries State by State
Payment processor salary differs across U.S. states and territories due to factors such as job demand, geographic location, cost of living, and local wage standards.
The table below shows the states and territories with the highest average pay for payment processor salary: the District of Columbia ($34,601), California ($34,501), and Massachusetts ($34,001).
On the other hand, the states and territories with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($27,901), Arkansas ($28,301), and West Virginia ($28,201).
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $33,901 |
| Alabama | $28,701 |
| Arkansas | $28,301 |
| Arizona (AZ) | $30,501 |
| California | $34,501 |
| Colorado | $31,901 |
| Connecticut | $33,401 |
| District of Columbia | $34,601 |
| Delaware | $31,701 |
| Florida | $29,601 |
| Georgia | $30,201 |
| Hawaii | $32,701 |
| Iowa | $29,901 |
| Idaho | $29,201 |
| Illinois | $31,901 |
| Indiana | $30,001 |
| Kansas | $29,801 |
| Kentucky | $29,401 |
| Louisiana | $29,801 |
| Massachusetts | $34,001 |
| Maryland | $32,301 |
| Maine | $30,501 |
| Michigan | $30,801 |
| Minnesota | $32,001 |
| Missouri | $29,701 |
| Mississippi | $27,901 |
| Montana | $29,501 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $29,701 |
| North Dakota | $30,901 |
| Nebraska | $29,501 |
| New Hampshire | $31,601 |
| New Jersey | $33,901 |
| New Mexico | $29,001 |
| Nevada | $31,001 |
| New York | $33,301 |
| Ohio | $30,501 |
| Oklahoma | $28,901 |
| Oregon | $31,801 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,101 |
| Rhode Island | $32,401 |
| South Carolina | $29,301 |
| South Dakota | $28,401 |
| Tennessee | $29,201 |
| Texas (TX) | $30,501 |
| Utah | $30,001 |
| Virginia | $31,501 |
| Vermont | $30,701 |
| Washington (WA) | $33,901 |
| Wisconsin | $30,801 |
| West Virginia | $28,201 |
| Wyoming | $30,001 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Payment Processor?
Payment processor salary also varies by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salary for payment processor, at $39,401 and $39,101, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $39,401 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,101 |
| Oakland, CA | $38,201 |
| New York, NY | $36,301 |
| Queens Village, NY | $36,001 |
| Paramus, NJ | $35,801 |
In cities like San Jose and San Francisco, companies actively find candidates with expertise in financial transactions, offering competitive salaries to attract top talent.
How Does Experience Affect Payment Processor Salaries?
Payment processor salary grows with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level specialists earn about $31,061 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $32,759 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Payment Processor | $31,061 |
| Intermediate Level Payment Processor | $31,479 |
| Senior Level Payment Processor | $32,565 |
| Specialist Level Payment Processor | $32,682 |
| Expert Level Payment Processor | $32,759 |
Human resources teams in companies and LLCs in states often prioritize experienced candidates who demonstrate teamwork and expertise in processing payments.
How to Increase Salary as a Payment Processor?
If you're working as a payment processor and looking to boost your income, there are several strategic ways to advance in your career and increase your earning potential.
Payment Processor Advancements
- Develop High-Demand Skills: Focus on strengthening essential skills such as bank reconciliation, forecasting, and aging analysis. These skills are highly sought after and can make you more valuable to your employer, increasing your chances of a salary boost.
- Pursue Career Advancement: Look for opportunities to move into higher-level positions, such as payment supervisor or finance team lead. Taking more responsibility and leadership roles often comes with better compensation and benefits.
- Invest in Education and Training: Enhance your expertise by gaining certifications or additional training in accounting software like Oracle and other financial tools. This upskilling demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and can lead to higher-paying job opportunities.
Payment Processor Skills
Payment processors with specialized skills can increase their pay. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, Bank Reconciliation skills can boost salaries by +7.74%, while Forecasting skills add +7.13%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Reconciliation | 10.50% | +7.74% |
| Forecasting | 10.70% | +7.13% |
| Aging Analysis | 10.50% | +7.02% |
| Oracle | 10.70% | +6.40% |
| Payment Processing | 10.60% | +6.24% |
| Accounting Software | 10.80% | +6.04% |
Professional development through these skills can significantly boost your earning potential in payment processor jobs.
What are the FAQs About Payment Processor Salaries?
Here are some common questions about payment processor salary:
Is payment processor a high paying job?
It depends. The payment processor average salary in the U.S. is $31,301, but it can go up to $36,077 based on experience and skills. Pay also varies by location, industry, and job type. Top earners often work in big cities, for example, San Jose, California, where the average salary is $39,401, in the highest paying industries.
What does the payment processor do?
A payment processor handles payment processing and reconciliation, follows guidelines for consumer loan payments, and works under supervision with moderate job knowledge:
- Processing payments and reconciling debits and credits
- Prepare daily forms and review questionable payments
- Handle consumer loan payments according to established procedures
- Report to a supervisor and work under close direction
What skills do you need to be a payment processor?
To be a skilled payment processor, you need expertise in bank reconciliation, forecasting, and aging analysis to manage financial records and overdue payments effectively. Proficiency in accounting software like Oracle is essential for accurate transaction processing, ensuring smooth and secure payment operations.
