Top 10 Best Education Payroll Software of 2026

Munis by Tyler Technologies is a robust ERP platform with a specialized payroll module designed for educational institutions, automating complex payroll processes for teachers, staff, and administrators. It handles education-specific needs like certification tracking, absence management, substitute pay, and compliance with state and federal regulations such as FLSA and TRS reporting. The system integrates seamlessly with HR, finance, and student information systems for streamlined operations across school districts.

Skyward is a comprehensive ERP platform designed for K-12 school districts, with a robust payroll module that handles compensation for teachers, classified staff, and administrators. It supports complex pay structures like step-and-lane schedules, stipends, overtime, and benefits deductions while ensuring compliance with education-specific regulations and tax requirements. The system integrates seamlessly with student information, HR, and finance modules, enabling efficient data flow across district operations.

PowerSchool is a comprehensive K-12 education management platform that includes robust payroll and HR modules tailored for school districts. It automates payroll processing for teachers, staff, and substitutes, ensuring compliance with education-specific regulations like ESSA and state reporting requirements. The system integrates seamlessly with its core student information system (SIS) for accurate time tracking, benefits administration, and financial reporting.

UKG Pro is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform offering robust payroll solutions specifically tailored for the education sector, handling complex requirements like teacher salaries, stipends, extra-duty pay, and compliance with state-specific regulations. It integrates payroll with HR, timekeeping, and scheduling to streamline operations for school districts and universities. The software supports multi-entity payroll processing and provides advanced reporting for budgeting and auditing in educational environments.

Paycom is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) platform that provides robust payroll processing, HR tools, and employee self-service features suitable for educational institutions. It automates payroll calculations for teachers, staff, and administrators, handling complex schedules, overtime, and compliance with labor laws. The single-database architecture ensures real-time data accuracy across HR and payroll functions, reducing errors in school district operations.

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform that delivers robust payroll processing tailored for educational institutions, managing salaries, stipends, overtime, and benefits for teachers, administrators, and support staff. It ensures compliance with education-specific regulations like FLSA exemptions and union contracts while integrating with student information systems (SIS) such as PowerSchool and Infinite Campus. The solution also includes time and attendance tracking, HR management, and analytics to streamline workforce operations for schools and universities.

Paylocity is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) platform offering comprehensive payroll solutions tailored for educational institutions, including K-12 schools and higher education. It streamlines payroll processing for complex structures like teacher salaries, stipends, extra-duty pay, longevity adjustments, and compliance with education-specific regulations. The software integrates payroll with HR, time tracking, benefits administration, and talent management for a unified employee experience.

Workday is a comprehensive cloud-based enterprise platform providing human capital management (HCM), financials, and payroll solutions, with specific adaptations for the education sector including higher education and K-12 institutions. Its payroll module automates complex payroll processing for diverse employee types such as tenured faculty, adjuncts, and support staff, ensuring compliance with education-specific regulations and handling stipends, grants, and overtime. Integrated with HR and analytics tools, it offers real-time visibility and reporting to streamline workforce management in educational environments.

Ellucian Banner is a comprehensive ERP system tailored for higher education institutions, featuring a robust HR and Payroll module that processes payroll for faculty, staff, and student workers while integrating with student, finance, and advancement systems. It supports complex academic payroll scenarios like tenure tracks, overload pay, and grant-funded positions. Designed for universities and colleges, it ensures compliance with education-specific regulations and reporting requirements.

BambooHR is a cloud-based HR management platform that includes payroll processing as part of its suite, offering automated paycheck calculations, tax filings, and employee self-service for time tracking and payslips. Designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses, it integrates HR data seamlessly with payroll but lacks specialized features for education sector needs like teacher stipends, grant-funded pay, or compliance with district-specific regulations. It supports multi-state payroll in select U.S. regions and emphasizes ease of use over deep customization.