What term describes the total amount earned by all employees for a pay period?

The term that describes the total amount earned by all employees for a pay period is gross payroll. Gross payroll includes the aggregate wages, salaries, bonuses, and any other types of compensation paid to employees before any deductions such as taxes, retirement contributions, or health insurance premiums are taken out.

This total is important for organizations as it reflects the overall expense they incur for labor during a specific period. While net payroll, which refers to the amount employees actually take home after deductions, is also important, it does not accurately represent the total earnings for all employees during the pay period. Hence, gross payroll is the correct term to use in this context.