Payroll Week 2025: Surprising Facts, History, and Why Payroll Still Matters

National Payroll Week is here again, running September 1–5, 2025. Organized by PayrollOrg the week recognizes the critical role payroll professionals play in ensuring workers across the country are paid accurately and on time. It also highlights the connection between payroll systems, employees, and government programs.

But how much do you really know about payroll? Let’s dig into some history, trivia, and real-world facts that show just how important payroll is, whether you run a small homecare agency or manage a nationwide workforce.

Table of Contents

• Payroll Beginnings: From Beer to Paper Records
• Who Runs the Largest Payrolls?
• Why National Payroll Week Matters
  
• Final Thoughts About National Payroll Week
  
  

Payroll Beginnings: From Beer to Paper Records

Payroll is older than most people think. Archaeologists discovered a clay tablet from ancient Sumer dated around 3000 BCE that recorded payments in beer to workers. Other early payroll records show wages were made in dates, grains, or livestock.

By the Middle Ages, payments shifted to coins, tracked on papyrus or parchment for artisans and soldiers. Fast forward to the Industrial Revolution and payroll became more structured, with new requirements to monitor attendance and track tax deductions.

Today, payroll has moved almost entirely to digital systems. According to American Payroll Association data, over 95% of U.S. workers use direct deposit, saving time and cutting costs for both employers and employees.

Who Runs the Largest Payrolls?

Even if your business has fewer than 10 employees, payroll still requires accuracy. The stakes only grow as organizations scale.

• Largest employer in the private sector: Walmart, with over 2 million employees worldwide.

• Largest employer in the U.S.: The federal government, which has more than 3 million civilian employees, coordinated in part by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

• Sports payroll trivia: In Major League Baseball, the New York Mets lead with an estimated payroll of $323.1 million, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

The bigger the workforce, the more complex payroll becomes. For smaller organizations, especially in industries like home care or healthcare, that complexity can still be overwhelming. That’s why a reliable Payroll Solution matters, no matter the size of your business.

Payroll Laws You Might Not Know

Payroll is more than paychecks. Every state has its own rules, and sometimes those laws surprise even seasoned HR managers. A few examples:

• Arkansas requires employers to provide time off for organ or bone marrow donation.

• Nine states currently have no state income tax, including Texas, Florida, and Washington.

• Massachusetts requires a license for anyone opening a fortune-telling business. In New York, practicing fortune telling without permission is a misdemeanor.

• California mandates up to 40 hours of leave for parents to participate in school activities.

• The federal minimum wage is still $7.25 per hour, but cities and states often set higher rates. Washington, D.C. leads at $17.95 per hour, followed by Washington State, California, and Connecticut.

These details only scratch the surface. Managing compliance requires expertise and the right tools. If you’re juggling multiple state and local regulations, our HR Compliance tool can help simplify the process.

Why National Payroll Week Matters

Payroll Week isn’t just a celebration. It’s a reminder that payroll is at the heart of every organization. Whether you’re a startup paying your first employee or a healthcare agency managing hundreds of caregivers, your payroll process impacts retention, compliance, and financial stability.

At Excelforce, we make payroll easier by integrating it with Time & Labor, Benefits, Recruitment, HR, and even Advanced Scheduling. That way, you spend less time worrying about these functions and more time growing your business.

Final Thoughts About National Payroll Week

Payroll has come a long way from beer rations in Sumer to automated systems with real-time reporting. As we celebrate Payroll Week 2025, take a moment to thank the payroll professionals who keep businesses running smoothly.

And if you’re ready to streamline payroll in your own organization, learn how Excelforce can help with Payroll solutions tailored to your business. 

©2025 - Content on this blog is intended to provide helpful, general information. Because laws and regulations evolve, please consult an HR professional or legal expert for guidance specific to your situation.