Sandra LawsPayday shouldn’t feel like you’re solving a Rubik’s Cube, with a blindfold on, no less. I’ll never forget my first attempt at managing payroll for a local nonprofit.
Between juggling tax forms and tracking down missing timesheets, it hit me: payroll isn’t just another line on the to-do list, it’s a complex beast all its own. The right payroll service doesn’t just lighten your workload; it can seriously save your sanity.
So, after testing various platforms and experiencing a few payroll mishaps myself, I’ve compiled this guide to the best payroll services in San Diego. Trust me, these pros will make payday easy, accurate, and maybe even enjoyable.
How much do payroll services cost in San Diego?
Payroll services in San Diego cost a base monthly fee between $40 and $80, with an additional fee of $6 to $7 for each employee on your payroll. These rates can vary depending on the features you need and the provider you choose.
1. Coastal Payroll Services
Address: 9350 Waxie Way #110
Contact Details: (858) 565-2123
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Coastal Payroll Services is designed to support businesses at every stage, from hiring your first employee to helping staff retire.
Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, their team listens to your business’s unique needs and builds solutions that truly fit. Clients I spoke with appreciated this custom help, saying it’s not just a standard package.
Managing HR and payroll is made easier with Coastal’s intuitive online tools for tracking time, administering benefits, and processing payroll. Behind the technology, real people are always available to help when you need them.
I appreciate that they help track employee hours and support with hiring, screening, and onboarding new employees.
They can even take care of your company’s benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans, so you don’t have to juggle everything yourself.
Flexibility is another highlight. From what clients have told me, Coastal adapts to the needs of each business.
However, a few customers mentioned that the resolution of issues is slower than desirable.
Professional team
“My account rep, Doug Ritz, does an AMAZING job at helping me with my needs. Doug and the Team often come to my rescue when I need immediate assistance. Doug and Team are professional, polite, always willing to go the extra mile. Thank you guys for everything that you do.”
– Miguel Corona, Google Review
Great and efficient filing
“Coastal Payroll does a great job at managing our payroll and their ERC department did such a great and efficient job at filing our claims for the Employee Retention Credit and got us back the payroll tax credits from the federal government in COVID-19 assistance! They were instrumental in keeping our business(es) afloat, and thanks to them, we are doing great! Thanks, Coastal!”
– Justin D. Tardio, Google Review
2. Meridian Payroll & HR
Address: 41951 Remington Ave STE 120
Contact Details: (951) 695-6700
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Meridian Payroll & HR Payroll Services offers payroll solutions that go beyond generic pay processing. Their services are fully tailored to address the unique requirements of each business they work with across California.
One thing several people pointed out to me was the flexibility: you can opt for traditional payroll or Meridian’s streamlined online system.
The platform’s integrated time and attendance tracking has been a game-changer. HR managers have mentioned that it reduces admin hours and payroll errors.
In addition, Meridian handles all electronic tax filings, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state and federal regulations. Another helpful feature is their pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation integration, with payroll deductions.
It’s great knowing that Meridian can also manage group benefits and retirement plans, seamlessly combining these functions with payroll for a more efficient experience.
However, a few users have reported occasional glitches in the payroll system and found the support lacking in certain situations. Without an in-house Human Resources Information System (HRIS) expert, some businesses may struggle to implement and maintain it.
Makes payroll process easy
“I have used Meridian Payroll for several years and have nothing but great things to say about them. They make the payroll process easy. Their staff is responsive and helpful any time a question comes up. If you’re looking for a new payroll service, you won’t regret switching to Meridian.”
– Kelly MacArthur, Google Review
Easy-to-use payroll system
“Meridian Payroll Services has been a game-changer for us! Their payroll system is incredibly quick and easy to use, taking all the hassle out of managing payroll in-house. Thanks to their efficient service, we can focus more on our core business activities. Highly recommend them to any business looking to streamline their payroll process!”
– Nicole Albrecht, Google Review
3. Pink Payroll
Address: 4010 Morena Blvd #220
Contact Details: (800) 995-0308
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Pink Payroll distinguishes itself with an ultra-fast, user-friendly payroll process called “the Only 3 Minute Payroll Service”. It’s ideal for busy business owners who need quick and efficient submissions.
I love the convenience of submitting the payroll via email, phone, or an online portal. It’s also nice that they don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach and understand every business is unique.
Pink Payroll also offers an Employee Self-Service portal. However, it still relies more on manual submissions than full automation, which may not suit businesses seeking a hands-off payroll system.
Special services are available too. These include Certified Payroll (for companies with specific wage rules), Nanny Payroll (ideal for families), and custom solutions tailored to restaurants and dental offices.
For workers’ compensation, I appreciate that they allow you to pay as you go, directly from your payroll, rather than requiring a large upfront payment.
And if you use QuickBooks, syncing and reconciling your books becomes a breeze, saving you time and stress.
Patient, kind, and professional
“Working with Pink Payroll has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business. Every time I’ve needed support, whether I was behind on submitting payroll or trying to sort out something last minute, they’ve been there with patience, kindness, and total professionalism. As a small business owner, there’s always something spinning but knowing them have my back gives me so much peace of mind. They’ve truly become a key part of how I keep things running, and I’m genuinely grateful to have them”
– Irina Otto, Google Review
Responsive, caring, and competitively priced
“I own an electrical contracting business here in San Diego. I started using pink payroll a couple of years ago and have no reason to make any changes for the time being. They have been very responsive, kind, and competitive in their services for our company. I am very appreciative of Erica and her staff.”
– Brandon Mascari, Google Review
4. Business Payroll Services
Address: 804 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, Suite 119
Contact Details: (760) 510-6796
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Business Payroll Services (BPS) emphasizes “only pay for what you need.”
Their flexibility and client-focused approach make them a natural fit for businesses with unique requirements or specialized workflows. I was particularly impressed by BPS’s suite of proprietary platforms.
With options like Platinum Pay Desktop and Platinum Pay Express, they cover both desktop and online payroll processing.
And then there’s their File Guardian or HUB. I’m always amazed when a regional company can offer enterprise-grade, secure file-sharing tools you’d normally expect only from large national providers.
Since timekeeping is often a hassle, BPS makes it easy. Their Digital Time Clocks and Cards sync with payroll for real-time tracking and fewer errors.
They also handle payroll taxes, compliance, and reporting with care. Their detailed reports give small and mid-sized businesses the insights they need to make smarter decisions.
However, it’s important to note that the agency is best suited for small and medium-sized companies. Larger or highly complex businesses may find it less scalable compared to bigger providers.
Valuable customer service
“I don’t know where our business would be without BPS! Fortunately, we had something to compare them to in order to see their value. We used to have ADP and customer service was non-existent. We could never get a hold of anyone and since we were a small company, they didn’t value our business. When we switched over to Business Payroll Services, it was a completely different experience. I could make a call at anytime, and would get the assistance we needed. A special thank you to Romeo! He made it all happen and connected us with great people (shoutout to Matt and Brett!) Their customer service is so valuable to us and not only that– we’re paying a fraction of what we were paying with ADP. Although we’re a small company, we never felt small with them. Thank you!!”
– Island TAT Manager, Google Review
Unbeatable prices
“Business payroll services have been such a great experience they have made the transition to go to a new payroll services easy and prices cannot be beat! Romeo has been a great help and has been their when ever I needed help! If you need a payroll company or looking to change do not hesitate and call them you will not be disappointed!”
– Mary Vanweest, Google Review
5. G2 Business Solutions Inc.
Address: 27622 Cool Water Ranch Rd
Contact Details: (760) 504-3414
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
G2 Business Solutions Inc. is all about making payroll easy for small businesses, especially if you have between 1 and 100 employees.
When I started researching their services, I was surprised by how their pricing is actually lower than what you typically see from most big-name payroll companies.
Business owners I spoke to appreciate not being locked into long contracts or having to deal with surprise setup fees.
They also use the ADP Run platform for all their payroll processing. While this provides access to reliable technology, it also means you’re dependent on a third-party platform, which may limit flexibility and customization options.
On a positive note, payroll taxes are another area where G2 excels. They handle everything, from federal to state to local filings, so that you don’t have to worry about missing a deadline or making a mistake.
Always incredibly responsive
“G2 Business Solutions has been such a great partner for our business. Mark is always incredibly responsive and makes the payroll process simple and stress-free. What really sets them apart is Mark’s Give Back Program—it’s one of the most thoughtful and impactful initiatives I’ve ever seen from a payroll company. It feels good knowing we’re working with a company that not only takes care of us but also gives back to the community. Highly recommend!”
– Crystal Stotler, Google Review
Builds long-term relationships
“Working with G2 Business Solutions and Mark Gleason has been an absolute game-changer! Mark’s professionalism, deep expertise, and genuine care for his clients make him stand out in the business solutions space. He doesn’t just provide a service—he builds long-term relationships that create measurable growth and peace of mind for businesses. What I love most is that Mark leads with heart. A portion of every proceed goes directly to Project Pearls, an incredible organization providing meals for children in the Philippines. 🙌 Knowing that my business dollars are not only supporting my success but also feeding and uplifting children in need makes partnering with G2 Business Solutions even more meaningful. If you want someone who combines excellence, integrity, and impact—Mark Gleason and G2 Business Solutions are the team you want on your side.”
– Crystal Privett, Google Review
