Business & Finance
Tax Preparer Salary
Tax preparers help individuals and businesses prepare and file tax returns.
Median Salary
$46,290
Mean Salary
$52,400
Total Employed
72,800
Job Growth
+2%
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.
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,000 Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$48,000 Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,000 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 → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Prepare tax returns
- ● Review financial records
- ● Calculate deductions
- ● Advise on tax planning
- ● Stay current with tax law
Top Skills
Tax Law Tax Software Financial Records Attention to Detail Client Communication IRS Regulations
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 2% growth over the next decade