---
title: "Developer guide to get employee data from Paycor API"
url: "https://getknit.dev/blog/developer-guide-to-get-employee-data-from-paycor-api/"
date: "2025-11-03T17:32:04+00:00"
modified: "2026-04-11T05:22:12+00:00"
type: "post"
---
# Developer guide to get employee data from Paycor API
[Blog](https://getknit.dev/blog) / [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) / Developer guide to get employee data from Paycor API [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) · November 3, 2025 · Updated April 11, 2026
Developer guide to get employee data from Paycor API
====================================================
Kunal Mishra
3 min read
[](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetknit.dev%2Fblog%2Fdeveloper-guide-to-get-employee-data-from-paycor-api%2F) [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetknit.dev%2Fblog%2Fdeveloper-guide-to-get-employee-data-from-paycor-api%2F&text=Developer%20guide%20to%20get%20employee%20data%20from%20Paycor%20API)
Table of Contents - [Introduction](#)
- [Get Employee Data from Paycor API](#)
- [API Endpoints](#)
- [Python Code Examples](#)
- [Common Pitfalls to Avoid](#)
- [FAQs](#)
- [Knit for Paycor API Integration](#)
### Introduction
Paycor is a leading HR and payroll platform that empowers businesses to manage their workforce efficiently. For developers and HR tech teams, accessing employee data via the Paycor API allows seamless integration of payroll, attendance, and HR information into internal dashboards or third-party applications.
This article, part of our in-depth [**HRIS API series**](/blog/full-list-of-knits-hris-api-guides/), explains how to retrieve employee data using [Paycor’s REST API](/integration/paycor/). We’ll cover the endpoints, authentication steps, and practical Python examples to get you started quickly.
### Get Employee Data from Paycor API
#### Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- Valid **API credentials** (`Access-Token` or `Apim-Subscription-Key`).
- The **EmployeeID** for retrieving specific employee data.
- The **Legal Entity ID** to fetch all employees within an organization.
### API Endpoints
#### 1. Get Employee by EmployeeID
To fetch data for a specific employee:
`GET /v1/employees/{employeeId}
`
**Path Parameter:**
- `employeeId` – Unique identifier for the employee (required).
**Query Parameters:**
- `include` – Add fields like EmploymentDates, Position, Status, or WorkLocation.
- `emailType` – Specify which email to return (Work or Home).
#### 2. Get Employees by Legal Entity ID
To retrieve all employees in a legal entity:
`GET /v1/legalentities/{legalEntityId}/employees
`
**Path Parameter:**
- `legalEntityId` – The unique identifier of the legal entity (required).
### Python Code Examples
**Retrieve Data for a Specific Employee:**``
```
import requests
def get_employee_by_id(employee_id, access_token):
url = f'https://api.paycor.com/v1/employees/{employee_id}'
headers = {'Authorization': f'Bearer {access_token}'}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
return response.json()
```
**Retrieve Data for All Employees in a Legal Entity:**
```
import requests
def get_employees_by_legal_entity(legal_entity_id, access_token):
url = f'https://api.paycor.com/v1/legalentities/{legal_entity_id}/employees'
headers = {'Authorization': f'Bearer {access_token}'}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
return response.json()
```
### Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. **Expired or Invalid Credentials:** Always verify your access token before making requests.
2. **Incorrect IDs:** Ensure you’re using the correct EmployeeID or Legal Entity ID.
3. **Rate Limiting:** Implement retry mechanisms to handle throttling.
4. **Network Issues:** Check connectivity if requests fail intermittently.
5. **API Versioning:** Confirm that you’re calling the correct API version (`v1` or latest).
6. **Unexpected Schema Changes:** Validate the response before parsing it.
7. **Error Handling:** Handle HTTP 4xx and 5xx responses gracefully in your code.
### FAQs
**1. What is the default email type returned?**
The API returns the employee’s *Work* email by default.
**2. Can I retrieve data for terminated employees?**
Yes. Use the `Status` parameter to include terminated employees in your results.
**3. How do I find an EmployeeID?**
Use the `Get Employees by Legal Entity ID` endpoint to list all employees and their IDs.
**4. What additional data can I include in the response?**
You can include `EmploymentDates`, `Position`, `Status`, and `WorkLocation` for richer insights.
**5. Is there a limit on the number of employees retrieved?**
Yes, Paycor APIs often paginate results. Check for pagination tokens in the response.
**6. How often is the data updated?**
Employee data updates in real time as changes occur in the Paycor system.
**7. What should I do if I receive a 500 error?**
Check Paycor’s API status page for outages and review your request for formatting issues.
### Knit for Paycor API Integration
Integrating directly with multiple HR APIs can be complex and time-consuming. **Knit** simplifies this process.
With a single integration, you can connect to [**Paycor** **API** ](/integration/paycor/)and dozens of other HRIS systems seamlessly. Knit handles:
- **Authentication & Token Refresh**
- **Data Normalization** across different APIs
- **Error Handling & Maintenance**
This eliminates the need to build and maintain individual API connections, saving engineering time and ensuring data reliability across your HR integrations.
Building a Paycor integration?
Knit gives you two ways to build it. Pick the one that fits.
- [Paycor on Unified API](https://getknit.dev/integration/paycor/)
Your customers want Paycor and the other HRIS tools they use. Build one integration and get normalised read and write data with real-time webhooks.
[Try free](https://dashboard.getknit.dev/signup)
- [Paycor MCP server](https://getknit.dev/mcp-servers/paycor/)
Your AI agent needs to read and act in your customers' Paycor. Use a pre-built, hosted MCP server instead of writing integration code.
[Try free](https://mcphub.getknit.dev/)
Knit's Unified API connects to 190+ apps across HRIS, ATS, CRM, accounting and more.
Knit never stores your end users' data and is SOC 2, GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant: [How Knit handles security](/security/) · [Security Center](https://compliance.getknit.dev/)
Not sure which fits? [Talk to a human](/book-demo/)
Written by Kunal Mishra
Changing integration landscape, one organization at a time
Keep Reading
------------
 [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/)
### [How to Get an Okta API Token (Step-by-Step)](https://getknit.dev/blog/okta-api-key/)
Generate an Okta API token in the Admin Console, add it as an SSWS Authorization header, and call the Okta…
July 22, 2026 · 8 min read
 [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/)
### [Get Ticket Data from Freshdesk API using Python](https://getknit.dev/blog/get-ticket-data-from-freshdesk-api-using-python/)
Learn how to retrieve ticket data from the Freshdesk API with step-by-step instructions, endpoints, code examples, common pitfalls, and FAQs…
April 11, 2026 · 5 min read
 [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/)
### [How to Retrieve Candidate Education Data from Bullhorn API using Python](https://getknit.dev/blog/how-to-retrieve-candidate-education-data-from-bullhorn-api-using-python/)
Step-by-step guide to retrieving candidate education data from the Bullhorn API, including authentication, endpoints, common pitfalls, and FAQs.
April 11, 2026 · 3 min read
\#1 in Ease of Integrations
---------------------------
4.9 out of 5 stars on G2
Put Integrations on Autopilot. Talk to Experts.
-----------------------------------------------
Knit is loved by customers across the globe due to our seamless product and white glove support. You'll love us too!
[Talk to a Human](/book-demo)