Payroll Specialist

Career Area: Human Resources Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. The Payroll Specialist processes payroll for assigned U.S. payroll populations and supports payroll operations across North America, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational requirements. This role performs end-to-end payroll processing, resolves complex payroll issues, conducts audits and reconciliations, and partners with employees and cross-functional teams to deliver efficient, high-quality payroll services. What You Will Do: Process assigned U.S. payroll populations across applicable payroll frequencies, ensuring accurate, controlled, and timely execution throughout each payroll cycle. Perform end-to-end payroll activities, including payroll input preparation, calculation review, validation, exception resolution, reconciliation, settlement support, disbursement, and post-payroll activities. Process and audit multi-state payrolls in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including applicable tax filings, reporting, wage-and-hour rules, and organizational policies. Analyze payroll results and research discrepancies involving earnings, deductions, taxes, retroactive pay, supplemental wages, time data, benefits, employee status changes, payment elections, transfers, pay rates, and payroll-impacting transactions. Execute payroll controls and exception reviews related to time and attendance, one-time payments, hires, terminations, PTO payouts, transfers, direct deposits, off-cycle payments, adjustments, and manual payments. Validate employee payroll records, calculated wages, tax withholdings, deductions, benefits, payment elections, and payroll corrections; identify and resolve anomalies. Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and payroll-related financial or general ledger activities while maintaining audit-ready documentation. Utilize Workday Payroll reporting, worker data, EIB functionality, and Microsoft Excel to research issues, analyze large data sets, validate results, and support payroll processing. Manage payroll cases and inquiries through approved channels, providing timely, policy-based guidance and support. Support quarter-end, year-end, tax, audit, compliance, and other critical payroll activities. Maintain and improve payroll procedures, workflows, job aids, standard operating procedures, and control documentation. Collaborate across functional teams and provide payroll knowledge sharing, cross-training, mentoring, and support as needed. What You Have : Education/Experience: At least 3 years of progressive payroll processing experience, including hands-on responsibility for complex payroll activities; substantial equivalent experience may be considered in place of a degree. Payroll Processing Expertise: Experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment with demonstrated knowledge of end-to-end payroll processing, including inputs, calculations, validations, reconciliations, exception resolution, corrections, and post-payroll activities. Certified Payroll Knowledge: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) required, with a working knowledge of payroll administration, payroll accounting concepts, payroll taxation, wage-and-hour requirements, benefits deductions, final pay, and confidential payroll practices. Data Analysis & Technical Skills: Strong Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to analyze, reconcile, and validate detailed payroll data accurately. Communication & Problem Solving: Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, organizational skills, analytical ability, and the ability to independently prioritize competing deadlines while maintaining confidentiality. What Will Set You Apart: Certified Payroll Knowledge: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) required, with a working knowledge of payroll administration, payroll accounting concepts, payroll taxation, wage-and-hour requirements, benefits deductions, final pay, and confidential payroll practices Five or more years of experience processing complex payrolls across large employee populations, multiple business units, organizational structures, or payroll groups. Experience with Workday Payroll and Workday HCM, including payroll reporting, payroll-result analysis, and EIB preparation, validation, and troubleshooting. Experience implementing payroll process improvements, automation, standardization, controls, or operational efficiencies. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-country operational environment. Summary Pay Range: $81,370.00 - $122,060.00 Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. Benefits: Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits. Medical, dental, and vision benefits* Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)* 401(k) savings plans* Health Savings Account (HSA)* Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)* Health Lifestyle Programs* Employee Assistance Program* Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts* Career Development* Incentive bonus* Disability benefits Life Insurance Parental leave Adoption benefits Tuition Reimbursement * These benefits also apply to part-time employees This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: October 13, 2026 - October 24, 2026 Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen. Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .