Tax preparer salary
BLS occupation: Tax Preparers · Business and finance · data for May 2025
Median salary $54,920 a year, US
Median hourly pay $26.40 an hour
Middle half earn $38,910–$76,300 25th to 75th percentile
Tax preparers employed 76,480 +4.7% projected by 2035
How much does a tax preparer make?
- The median tax preparer salary in the US is $54,920 a year ($26.40 an hour): half of the 76,480 tax preparers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $60,930.
- The middle half earn between $38,910 and $76,300. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $33,760 and the top 10% more than $99,270.
- That is 8% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- New York pays tax preparers the most (median $71,850), followed by California ($70,030) and Utah ($66,720). Alabama pays the least ($33,280).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Missouri, where the median is worth $69,128 in typical US prices, then Utah and Montana. New York's higher pay is offset by its prices (107.9 vs a US average of 100).
- In 26 of the 184 metro areas with data, the median tax preparer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of tax preparers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 9,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what tax preparers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Tax preparer salary range
Half of tax preparers earn between $38,910 and $76,300 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $33,760
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $38,910
Median Yearly pay: $54,920
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $76,300
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $99,270
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $33,760 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $38,910 |
| Median | $54,920 |
| Top 25% earn over | $76,300 |
| Top 10% earn over | $99,270 |
Tax preparer salary by state
New York pays tax preparers the most; Alabama the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($54,920), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 median |
| California | $70,030 median |
| Utah | $66,720 median |
| Montana | $63,080 median |
| Missouri | $62,780 median |
| Colorado | $62,620 median |
| Alaska | $62,360 median |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 median |
| Oregon | $61,370 median |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 median |
| Nevada | $60,000 median |
| Minnesota | $59,200 median |
| Virginia | $58,520 median |
| Massachusetts | $58,400 median |
| Wyoming | $57,990 median |
| Rhode Island | $57,680 median |
| North Dakota | $57,060 median |
| Illinois | $54,480 median |
| Iowa | $53,660 median |
| South Dakota | $52,530 median |
| Delaware | $51,960 median |
| Mississippi | $50,670 median |
| Georgia | $49,330 median |
| Florida | $49,020 median |
| Ohio | $49,020 median |
| North Carolina | $48,130 median |
| Texas | $47,460 median |
| Kansas | $47,300 median |
| Maine | $47,150 median |
| Maryland | $47,020 median |
| Michigan | $46,400 median |
| Indiana | $45,710 median |
| Washington | $45,370 median |
| Arizona | $44,770 median |
| Wisconsin | $44,340 median |
| New Jersey | $43,420 median |
| Nebraska | $43,010 median |
| Oklahoma | $42,700 median |
| Connecticut | $41,130 median |
| South Carolina | $39,220 median |
| Louisiana | $38,740 median |
| New Mexico | $38,060 median |
| Kentucky | $36,620 median |
| Tennessee | $36,600 median |
| West Virginia | $35,880 median |
| Arkansas | $35,040 median |
| Hawaii | $34,720 median |
| Alabama | $33,280 median |
Where tax preparer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Tax preparers' pay goes furthest in Missouri once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Missouri | $69,128 |
| Utah | $67,487 |
| Montana | $66,649 |
| New York | $66,576 |
| North Dakota | $64,142 |
| California | $63,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,795 |
| Wyoming | $62,563 |
| Iowa | $61,143 |
| Alaska | $60,923 |
Tax preparer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 | $34.54 | $39,010 | $125,070 | 7,620 | $66,576 |
| California | $70,030 | $33.67 | $38,910 | $104,000 | 10,270 | $63,250 |
| Utah | $66,720 | $32.08 | $38,430 | $102,840 | 1,190 | $67,487 |
| Montana | $63,080 | $30.33 | $44,300 | $100,060 | 360 | $66,649 |
| Missouri | $62,780 | $30.18 | $31,400 | $124,300 | 1,330 | $69,128 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | $30.11 | $37,790 | $97,980 | 1,540 | $60,765 |
| Alaska | $62,360 | $29.98 | $40,340 | $117,890 | 70 | $60,923 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 | $29.50 | $36,100 | $97,020 | 420 | $58,916 |
| Oregon | $61,370 | $29.50 | $43,640 | $96,550 | 1,590 | $59,374 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 | $29.46 | $31,200 | $103,570 | 2,010 | $62,795 |
| Nevada | $60,000 | $28.85 | $41,900 | $99,500 | 1,410 | $60,013 |
| Minnesota | $59,200 | $28.46 | $36,520 | $95,520 | 1,040 | $60,028 |
| Virginia | $58,520 | $28.13 | $36,330 | $98,700 | 1,960 | $57,881 |
| Massachusetts | $58,400 | $28.08 | $37,560 | $82,700 | 1,500 | $55,221 |
| Wyoming | $57,990 | $27.88 | $37,830 | $92,380 | 90 | $62,563 |
| Rhode Island | $57,680 | $27.73 | $52,000 | $62,580 | – | $56,394 |
| North Dakota | $57,060 | $27.43 | $37,080 | $89,310 | 220 | $64,142 |
| Illinois | $54,480 | $26.19 | $33,030 | $76,150 | 1,310 | $54,503 |
| Iowa | $53,660 | $25.80 | $33,520 | $84,700 | 780 | $61,143 |
| South Dakota | $52,530 | $25.25 | $39,080 | $77,480 | 280 | $59,298 |
| Delaware | $51,960 | $24.98 | $37,910 | $74,650 | 240 | $52,060 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | $24.36 | $29,140 | $88,790 | 580 | $58,273 |
| Georgia | $49,330 | $23.72 | $30,780 | $97,020 | 1,670 | $51,229 |
| Florida | $49,020 | $23.57 | $30,380 | $94,330 | – | $47,402 |
| Ohio | $49,020 | $23.57 | $36,190 | $74,850 | 1,590 | $52,838 |
| North Carolina | $48,130 | $23.14 | $35,480 | $97,720 | 2,710 | $51,025 |
| Texas | $47,460 | $22.82 | $31,110 | $86,950 | 6,010 | $48,899 |
| Kansas | $47,300 | $22.74 | $30,980 | $99,090 | 450 | $52,516 |
| Maine | $47,150 | $22.67 | $38,800 | $63,260 | 250 | $48,583 |
| Maryland | $47,020 | $22.61 | $37,700 | $69,790 | 1,240 | $44,798 |
| Michigan | $46,400 | $22.31 | $29,600 | $77,950 | 1,660 | $48,224 |
| Indiana | $45,710 | $21.98 | $27,190 | $86,360 | 1,820 | $48,977 |
| Washington | $45,370 | $21.81 | $38,260 | $71,480 | 1,360 | $42,397 |
| Arizona | $44,770 | $21.52 | $36,970 | $104,740 | 2,240 | $44,469 |
| Wisconsin | $44,340 | $21.32 | $34,920 | $73,130 | 1,550 | $47,123 |
| New Jersey | $43,420 | $20.88 | $34,250 | $77,640 | 3,220 | $39,906 |
| Nebraska | $43,010 | $20.68 | $30,920 | $71,580 | 420 | $47,734 |
| Oklahoma | $42,700 | $20.53 | $26,720 | $82,210 | 1,300 | $48,609 |
| Connecticut | $41,130 | $19.77 | $35,740 | $81,750 | 700 | $39,697 |
| South Carolina | $39,220 | $18.86 | $28,040 | $80,880 | 1,360 | $41,835 |
| Louisiana | $38,740 | $18.63 | $24,920 | $61,880 | 650 | $43,919 |
| New Mexico | $38,060 | $18.30 | $27,250 | $60,000 | 340 | $41,274 |
| Kentucky | $36,620 | $17.61 | $21,750 | $80,690 | 1,080 | $40,617 |
| Tennessee | $36,600 | $17.60 | $27,770 | $77,270 | 1,260 | $39,839 |
| West Virginia | $35,880 | $17.25 | $21,880 | $63,760 | 330 | $40,091 |
| Arkansas | $35,040 | $16.85 | $28,990 | $66,420 | 550 | $40,305 |
| Hawaii | $34,720 | $16.69 | $29,120 | $69,270 | – | $31,578 |
| Alabama | $33,280 | $16.00 | $23,290 | $48,020 | 290 | $37,468 |
BLS does not publish pay for tax preparers in 3 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Tax preparer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes tax preparer pay: 185 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $84,240
- San Jose, CA $81,180
- Kansas City, MO $78,920
- Jefferson City, MO $75,990
- Santa Cruz, CA $71,800
- New York, NY $71,300
- Amarillo, TX $70,980
- San Diego, CA $70,170
- St. Louis, MO $69,210
- Salt Lake City, UT $66,920
Where the pay goes furthest
- Jefferson City, MO $86,377
- Kansas City, MO $85,279
- Amarillo, TX $77,303
- San Jose, CA $73,517
- Florence, SC $73,294
- San Francisco, CA $72,864
- St. Louis, MO $72,785
- Fargo, ND $71,882
- Billings, MT $70,494
- Waco, TX $70,254
All 185 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,240 | 1,410 | $72,864 | 49% |
| San Jose, CA | $81,180 | 760 | $73,517 | 56% |
| Kansas City, MO | $78,920 | 560 | $85,279 | 23% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $75,990 | 30 | $86,377 | 16% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $71,800 | 60 | $65,334 | 58% |
| New York, NY | $71,300 | 8,100 | $63,342 | 60% |
| Amarillo, TX | $70,980 | 60 | $77,303 | 22% |
| San Diego, CA | $70,170 | 690 | $62,715 | 51% |
| St. Louis, MO | $69,210 | 380 | $72,785 | 25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $66,920 | 670 | $66,344 | 29% |
| Billings, MT | $65,930 | 80 | $70,494 | 25% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $65,930 | 130 | $61,169 | 49% |
| Boulder, CO | $65,410 | 110 | $62,176 | 40% |
| Fargo, ND | $65,320 | 110 | $71,882 | 20% |
| Denver, CO | $65,150 | 970 | $61,589 | 35% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $65,120 | 3,250 | $57,341 | 54% |
| Waco, TX | $65,020 | 40 | $70,254 | 26% |
| Modesto, CA | $64,630 | 170 | $62,080 | 38% |
| Provo, UT | $64,240 | 250 | $65,396 | 33% |
| Florence, SC | $63,600 | 60 | $73,294 | 29% |
| Des Moines, IA | $63,560 | 210 | $69,312 | 24% |
| Greenville, SC | $63,460 | 310 | $68,046 | 30% |
| Salinas, CA | $63,060 | 90 | $57,831 | 53% |
| Bend, OR | $62,950 | 80 | $60,758 | 42% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,350 | 210 | $61,756 | 39% |
| Albany, NY | $62,290 | 310 | $62,562 | 33% |
| Richmond, VA | $62,160 | 310 | $63,521 | 33% |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,050 | 260 | $56,137 | 57% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $62,010 | 1,150 | $60,466 | 37% |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 | 70 | $57,089 | 48% |
| Reno, NV | $61,790 | 140 | $61,170 | 40% |
| Stockton, CA | $61,460 | 110 | $58,484 | 47% |
| Greeley, CO | $61,420 | 50 | $61,312 | 33% |
| Portland, OR | $61,350 | 870 | $58,195 | 35% |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,330 | 50 | $70,229 | 21% |
| Eugene, OR | $61,300 | 140 | $60,354 | 35% |
| Syracuse, NY | $61,290 | 100 | $64,016 | 32% |
| Redding, CA | $61,200 | 60 | $60,784 | 32% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,140 | 410 | $64,582 | 29% |
| Rapid City, SD | $61,100 | 50 | $68,528 | 29% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $60,650 | 650 | $57,860 | 34% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $60,480 | – | $55,693 | 56% |
| Sacramento, CA | $60,430 | 740 | $56,651 | 45% |
| Davenport, IA | $60,280 | 80 | $67,670 | 20% |
| Wichita, KS | $60,260 | 100 | $67,749 | 24% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $60,210 | 180 | $55,025 | 45% |
| Rochester, NY | $60,180 | 290 | $62,019 | 31% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $60,170 | 1,130 | $60,041 | 35% |
| Buffalo, NY | $60,040 | 320 | $62,643 | 29% |
| El Paso, TX | $59,990 | – | $66,721 | 30% |
| Boston, MA | $59,630 | 1,110 | $55,077 | 60% |
| Naples, FL | $59,610 | 130 | $57,762 | 52% |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,550 | 70 | $60,606 | 32% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $59,490 | – | $58,968 | 37% |
| Sebastian, FL | $59,330 | 70 | $60,351 | 43% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $59,290 | 30 | $67,658 | 25% |
| Helena, MT | $59,170 | 30 | $61,845 | 33% |
| Fresno, CA | $58,970 | 250 | $57,724 | 42% |
| North Port, FL | $58,910 | – | $57,520 | 43% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $58,900 | 180 | $58,487 | 36% |
| Erie, PA | $58,460 | 50 | $64,277 | 23% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $58,370 | 240 | $54,621 | 59% |
| Salem, OR | $58,330 | 140 | $56,276 | 34% |
| Albany, OR | $58,220 | 30 | $57,023 | 34% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $58,020 | 150 | $56,688 | 38% |
| Deltona, FL | $57,920 | 100 | $58,289 | 37% |
| Washington, DC | $57,890 | 1,150 | $53,167 | 50% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $57,770 | 60 | $58,561 | 31% |
| Providence, RI | $57,680 | 420 | $56,675 | 45% |
| Medford, OR | $57,640 | 90 | $56,826 | 38% |
| Louisville, KY | $57,220 | 280 | $61,478 | 28% |
| Durham, NC | $57,090 | 150 | $58,511 | 34% |
| Barnstable, MA | $56,960 | 60 | $57,915 | 54% |
| Springfield, MO | $56,820 | 160 | $64,142 | 26% |
| Anchorage, AK | $56,740 | 60 | $53,823 | 40% |
| Baltimore, MD | $56,160 | 660 | $53,748 | 41% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $55,640 | 30 | $58,276 | 37% |
| Binghamton, NY | $54,880 | 40 | $59,098 | 35% |
| Ocala, FL | $54,880 | 110 | $57,626 | 35% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $54,570 | 140 | $57,114 | 35% |
| Roanoke, VA | $53,630 | 50 | $57,286 | 31% |
| Manchester, NH | $52,570 | 90 | $49,755 | 49% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $52,530 | 110 | $57,960 | 29% |
| Wilmington, NC | $52,220 | 130 | $54,158 | 40% |
| Lansing, MI | $51,870 | 70 | $54,605 | 30% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,820 | 80 | $58,249 | 28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $50,430 | 440 | $52,023 | 37% |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,350 | 850 | $51,722 | 41% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $50,300 | 60 | $50,037 | 44% |
| Orlando, FL | $50,220 | 430 | $49,518 | 46% |
| Duluth, MN | $50,170 | 60 | $56,518 | 32% |
| Atlanta, GA | $50,070 | – | $50,041 | 44% |
| Portland, ME | $50,070 | – | $49,157 | 55% |
| Racine, WI | $49,830 | 40 | $51,927 | 35% |
| Gulfport, MS | $49,680 | 70 | $55,196 | 34% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $49,650 | 80 | $52,865 | 36% |
| Brownsville, TX | $49,630 | 90 | $57,726 | 36% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $49,500 | – | $49,757 | 41% |
| Shreveport, LA | $49,500 | 60 | $58,396 | 31% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $49,450 | 590 | $54,696 | 34% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $48,730 | – | $51,096 | 37% |
| Chicago, IL | $48,670 | 1,020 | $46,981 | 53% |
| Sioux City, IA | $48,650 | 30 | $56,273 | 32% |
| Tampa, FL | $48,550 | 1,060 | $48,122 | 49% |
| Logan, UT | $48,500 | 50 | $50,559 | 36% |
| Miami, FL | $48,310 | – | $42,320 | 66% |
| Ogden, UT | $48,210 | 110 | $48,042 | 41% |
| Austin, TX | $48,150 | 490 | $49,100 | 40% |
| Nashville, TN | $48,080 | 400 | $49,908 | 45% |
| Dayton, OH | $48,030 | – | $51,816 | 33% |
| Hickory, NC | $47,940 | 80 | $54,178 | 40% |
| Asheville, NC | $47,930 | 80 | $49,665 | 43% |
| Seattle, WA | $47,860 | 780 | $43,066 | 56% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,860 | 150 | $51,997 | 38% |
| Dover, DE | $47,720 | 40 | $48,940 | 45% |
| Lincoln, NE | $47,590 | 60 | $51,965 | 32% |
| Houston, TX | $47,320 | 1,280 | $47,978 | 42% |
| Raleigh, NC | $47,290 | – | $48,178 | 42% |
| Tyler, TX | $47,210 | – | $51,228 | 33% |
| Dallas, TX | $47,020 | 1,780 | $45,611 | 42% |
| Tucson, AZ | $46,960 | 270 | $48,464 | 38% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $46,680 | 40 | $47,491 | 47% |
| Detroit, MI | $46,450 | 830 | $46,312 | 39% |
| St. George, UT | $46,380 | 40 | $47,657 | 48% |
| Lafayette, IN | $46,300 | 50 | $49,556 | 38% |
| Midland, TX | $46,210 | 30 | $48,244 | 41% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $46,100 | 140 | $45,995 | 60% |
| Boise, ID | $46,000 | – | $46,752 | 50% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $45,930 | 140 | $49,615 | 33% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $45,820 | 130 | $45,818 | 49% |
| Madison, WI | $45,810 | 140 | $47,087 | 47% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $45,780 | 700 | $47,839 | 40% |
| Lakeland, FL | $45,660 | 100 | $47,004 | 48% |
| Charleston, WV | $45,650 | 50 | $51,456 | 32% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 90 | $49,599 | 38% |
| Greensboro, NC | $45,250 | 150 | $48,727 | 37% |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,940 | 150 | $48,548 | 46% |
| Augusta, GA | $44,920 | 80 | $48,878 | 39% |
| Green Bay, WI | $44,840 | 50 | $48,171 | 30% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $44,770 | 1,580 | $43,333 | 46% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,620 | 30 | $47,575 | 40% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $44,560 | 120 | $48,719 | 41% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $44,320 | 370 | $45,252 | 51% |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,250 | 50 | $42,822 | 53% |
| Kennewick, WA | $44,250 | 50 | $44,215 | 46% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $44,250 | – | $45,036 | 51% |
| Evansville, IN | $44,200 | 80 | $48,291 | 30% |
| Janesville, WI | $43,850 | 40 | $46,797 | 35% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $43,550 | 30 | $47,293 | 43% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $42,990 | 90 | $46,390 | 40% |
| Kingsport, TN | $42,700 | 50 | $49,394 | 37% |
| Chico, CA | $41,600 | 40 | $41,108 | 45% |
| Omaha, NE | $41,600 | 170 | $45,261 | 40% |
| Spokane, WA | $40,160 | 120 | $40,022 | 45% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $39,990 | 40 | $45,548 | 29% |
| McAllen, TX | $39,580 | 150 | $46,080 | 34% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $39,560 | 40 | $40,466 | 48% |
| Scranton, PA | $39,400 | 90 | $42,114 | 41% |
| Lexington, KY | $38,510 | 240 | $41,458 | 50% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $38,490 | 190 | $40,284 | 46% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,390 | 60 | $42,163 | 46% |
| Little Rock, AR | $38,140 | 130 | $42,679 | 39% |
| Tulsa, OK | $38,000 | 300 | $42,594 | 43% |
| Lubbock, TX | $37,770 | 50 | $41,361 | 42% |
| Hartford, CT | $37,760 | 200 | $36,751 | 63% |
| Killeen, TX | $37,760 | 70 | $41,434 | 42% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $37,680 | 50 | $40,043 | 49% |
| College Station, TX | $37,630 | 30 | $41,374 | 48% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,420 | 40 | $40,325 | 37% |
| Yuma, AZ | $37,260 | 30 | $40,192 | 46% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,010 | 30 | $41,041 | 39% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $36,480 | 50 | $42,492 | 45% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $36,300 | 90 | $36,720 | 68% |
| Columbia, SC | $36,150 | 150 | $38,596 | 52% |
| Sherman, TX | $35,960 | 30 | $38,349 | 45% |
| Waterbury, CT | $35,740 | 80 | $35,820 | – |
| Fayetteville, AR | $35,650 | 100 | $39,024 | 53% |
| Memphis, TN | $35,410 | 230 | $38,414 | 47% |
| Huntington, WV | $35,100 | 60 | $39,696 | 37% |
| Honolulu, HI | $34,860 | – | $31,416 | 104% |
| Vineland, NJ | $34,780 | 40 | $36,241 | 57% |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,600 | 40 | $38,044 | 47% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,930 | 110 | $33,030 | 67% |
| Sumter, SC | $30,410 | 70 | $34,549 | 58% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $30,160 | 40 | $35,115 | 43% |
What the median tax preparer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $54,920 |
| Month | $4,577 |
| Every two weeks | $2,112 |
| Week | $1,056 |
| Hour | $26.40 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a tax preparer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 9,400 |
| Self-employed | 17.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $83,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| Loan officer | $76,690 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial advisor | $105,070 | Bachelor's degree |
| Project manager | $102,320 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial analyst | $102,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| HR specialist | $75,940 | Bachelor's degree |
| Management consultant | $101,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| Claims adjuster | $78,000 | High school diploma |
Questions about tax preparer pay
How much does a tax preparer make an hour?
The median is $26.40 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $16.23 and the top 10% over $47.72.
How much does a tax preparer make a month?
About $4,577 a month before taxes at the median salary of $54,920, or $2,112 every two weeks.
What state pays tax preparers the most?
New York, with a median of $71,850. California ($70,030), Utah ($66,720), Montana ($63,080) and Missouri ($62,780) follow.
Where do tax preparers make the most after cost of living?
Missouri: its median of $62,780 is worth $69,128 at typical US prices. Utah, Montana and New York come next.
How much do entry-level tax preparers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of tax preparers earn under $33,760 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $38,910, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a tax preparer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 13-2082 (Tax Preparers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.