Payroll for Crews
This is for owners and managers who run crews on jobsites, not employees in cubicles. If you have 5 to 50 hourly people in construction, trades, landscaping, cleaning, or other field work, you are in the right place.
The goal here is simple. Help you pick a payroll and time tracking setup that works every pay period, without turning your life into spreadsheets and support calls.
Planning for a wage raise on January 1, 2027? Try the payroll cost calculator to see what it could add to your labor bill.
What you will actually get
- Plain language guides to payroll and time tracking for crews
- Concrete examples for mixed W2 and 1099 teams on multiple jobsites
- Checklists and how tos you can hand to a foreman or office person
Start here
If you are not sure where to begin, read this first:
- Best payroll and time tracking setup for 10 to 50 person construction crews
- Simple time tracking rules for foremen so payroll stops being a mess
Guides by topic
Payroll Setup and Compliance
Certified payroll, multi state payroll, switching providers, and W2 and 1099 compliance on public and private jobs.
- Best Payroll and Time Tracking Setup for 10 to 50 Person Construction Crews
- Certified Payroll Basics for Small Contractors Who Just Won a Public Job
- Running Construction Payroll Across Multiple States Without Getting Burned
- How to Switch Payroll Providers Mid-Year Without Losing Your Mind
- How to Handle Payroll When You Have Both W2 Employees and 1099 Contractors
- Hiring Your First Employee: Payroll Setup for Owner-Operators Who Used to Work Alone
Time Tracking and Job Costing
Time tracking rules, job costing labor by job, and getting off paper timesheets for small crews.
Payroll Mistakes and Fixes
Common overtime and payroll workflow mistakes for crew based businesses and how to fix them.
AI and Modern Tools for Crews
AI accountants and modern tools that help small crew based businesses run payroll and track profit.
Some links on this site are referral links. If you sign up through them, the software company may pay a fee. I do not sell software or run payroll for clients. If I would not suggest a tool to a small crew I cared about, it does not go on the list.