Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $82.1bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Adoption of cloud-based solutions allows for greater workflow flexibility
- With a competitive market elevating payroll and bookkeeping servicers’ propensity to accelerate technological investment, the growing adoption of cloud computing continues to offer tangible progress in that goal. Clients from a variety of backgrounds, such as finance and manufacturing, have moved their payroll and bookkeeping processes to the cloud, allowing greater flexibility in data procurement and stronger security of core client data. The increasing focus on data privacy across the economy has led to services prioritizing the secure handling of sensitive financial information, bolstering demand for technically astute bookkeepers and payroll providers that are proficient at cloud usage.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Greater emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will enhance service efficiency
- Payroll and bookkeeping servicers will look to accelerate workflow efficiency to lock in existing client commitments and strengthen service quality. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into payroll and bookkeeping services will greatly enhance efficiency and accuracy, allowing servicers to effectively input and validate payroll data such as wages and salaries without requiring manual labor input. Bookkeepers that implement AI infrastructure will generate higher demand among prospective clients, as they look to maximize service efficiency and get accurate insights on their business’s financial records.
Biggest companies in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Intuit Inc. | 16,049.2 | 3,907.4 | 24.3 | |
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 11,821.9 | 3,028.0 | 25.6 | |
Paychex, Inc. | 5,625.9 | 2,628.1 | 46.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Full-service payroll services, Payroll services sold separately and Billing services. Full-service payroll services is the largest segment of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Higher costs of external payroll service procurement curtail client demand
- Full-service payroll services include the management of employee salaries, wages, bonuses and other benefits. Companies from a wide range of sectors, such as finance and manufacturing, procure this segment to ensure they are properly allocating salaries and adhering to state and local labor laws.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry provide outsourced payroll services for clients’ employees and basic bookkeeping services are also included. However, this industry does not include tax preparation companies or certified public accountants.
What's included in this industry?
Full-service payroll servicesPayroll services sold separatelyBilling servicesBookkeeping and compliation servicesGeneral accounting servicesTax planning and consulting servicesTax preparation and representation servicesCompanies
Intuit Inc.Automatic Data Processing, Inc.Paychex, Inc.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
OUTSOURCINGBOOKKEEPINGIN-HOUSINGIndustry Code
NAICS 541214 - Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Significant tech adoption enhances payroll servicers’ performance. Businesses and individuals continue to benefit from cloud-based software and mobile apps for payroll and bo...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Automation and cloud-based payroll services have streamlined salary management. These advancements boost efficiency, reduce errors and save time, enabling improved payroll an...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Payroll and bookkeeping services are concentrated in densely populated areas. Servicers interact with many small businesses and larger corporate clients, reflecting their clo...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The rise of technology is intensifying market competition. New technologies are enabling smaller players to enter the market and compete with established providers, reducing ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Companies are leveraging cloud computing and automation to streamline operations and boost efficiency. Higher emphasis on cybersecurity and adoption of AI has placed and heig...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Intuit Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Paychex, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Intuit Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Automatic Data Processing, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Paychex, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry processes vast amounts of sensitive data via digital systems. A wide variety of regulations impact privacy and data security guidelines, necessitating strict adh...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profitability continues to be sustained by higher selling prices, lower labor costs and new revenue streams. Economic recovery following a period of heightened inflation has ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
- Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
- Income Statement (2018-2023)
- Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States in 2025?
The market size of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States is $82.1bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in 2025?
There are 335k businesses in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services market in United States are Intuit Inc., Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and Paychex, Inc.
What does the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US in United States include?
Full-service payroll services and Payroll services sold separately are part of the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Intuit Inc..
How competitive is the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
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Competitors
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Complementors
View all industries in United States
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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