Tax Preparer Salary
Tax preparers help individuals and businesses prepare and file tax returns.
Tax Preparer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level tax preparers earn around $28,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $48,000. Senior-level tax preparers can earn $82,000 or more.
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Earning $46,290? You may qualify for student loan refinancing rates as low as 4.49% — potentially saving $14,000+ over the life of your loan.
Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for tax preparers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $25,000, while the top 10% earn $88,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $46,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 |
Tax Preparer Salary by State
Tax Preparer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $78,693, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $38,421.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $78,693 | Details → |
| #2 Massachusetts | $65,732 | Details → |
| #3 California | $63,880 | Details → |
| #4 New York | $62,029 | Details → |
| #5 Alaska | $57,400 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $56,937 | Details → |
| #7 Connecticut | $55,548 | Details → |
| #8 Maryland | $53,234 | Details → |
| #9 Washington | $53,233 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $50,919 | Details → |
| #11 Virginia | $50,456 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $49,530 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $49,530 | Details → |
| #14 Delaware | $49,067 | Details → |
| #15 Colorado | $48,605 | Details → |
| #16 Illinois | $46,753 | Details → |
| #17 Vermont | $46,753 | Details → |
| #18 Pennsylvania | $46,290 | Details → |
| #19 Minnesota | $45,827 | Details → |
| #20 Florida | $45,364 | Details → |
| #21 Maine | $45,364 | Details → |
| #22 Arizona | $44,901 | Details → |
| #23 Nevada | $44,901 | Details → |
| #24 Utah | $44,901 | Details → |
| #25 Georgia | $43,976 | Details → |
| #26 Montana | $43,976 | Details → |
| #27 North Carolina | $43,976 | Details → |
| #28 Idaho | $43,513 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $43,050 | Details → |
| #30 Nebraska | $42,587 | Details → |
| #31 Texas | $42,587 | Details → |
| #32 Wisconsin | $42,587 | Details → |
| #33 Wyoming | $42,587 | Details → |
| #34 Louisiana | $42,124 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $41,661 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $41,661 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $41,661 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $41,661 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $41,198 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $41,198 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $41,198 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $40,735 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $40,735 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $40,272 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $40,272 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $40,272 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $39,809 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $38,884 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $38,884 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $38,421 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Tax Preparers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $35,710 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Prepare tax returns
- ● Review financial records
- ● Calculate deductions
- ● Advise on tax planning
- ● Stay current with tax law
Top Skills
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 2% growth over the next decade
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