Business & Finance Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Tax Preparer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median tax preparer salary in Lafayette, LA is $40,735 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$40,735
vs State Avg
$-1,389
vs National
$-5,555
Cost of Living
88%

Tax Preparer Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median tax preparer salary of $40,735, which is $1,389 below the Louisiana state average of $42,124. Compared to the national median of $46,290, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $40,735 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $46,290 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for tax preparers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for tax preparers in Lafayette spans from $22,000 at the 10th percentile to $77,440 at the 90th percentile — a $55,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $24,640, while senior tax preparers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $72,160. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Tax Preparer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level tax preparer earns around $24,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $72,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$24,640
$-3,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,240
$-5,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,160
$-9,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $22,000
25th Percentile $28,160
Median (50th) $40,735
75th Percentile $57,200
90th Percentile $77,440

Tax Preparer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$45,364
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$42,587
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$39,809
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$39,347
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Tax Preparer in Lafayette

Education

Most tax preparer positions require a high school diploma. Lafayette and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Tax LawTax SoftwareFinancial RecordsAttention to DetailClient CommunicationIRS Regulations

Job Outlook

Nationally, tax preparer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Tax Preparer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open tax preparer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Preparer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Tax Preparer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median tax preparer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $40,735 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $46,290. Salaries range from $22,000 (10th percentile) to $77,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Tax Preparer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $40,735, a tax preparer in Lafayette earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for tax preparer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median tax preparer salary of $40,735 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $42,124. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a tax preparer salary of $40,735 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a tax preparer in Lafayette? ▼
Most tax preparer positions in Lafayette require a high school diploma. Key skills include Tax Law, Tax Software, Financial Records, Attention to Detail. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.