California Median
$70,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $54,920
State Rank
#2 of 48
10,270 employed here
How much does a Tax Preparer make in California?
Tax Preparers in California take home a median of $70,030 annually — roughly $33.67 an hour — which runs 28% above the national median of $54,920.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,910 while the top 10% make $104,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,420 and $84,890 a year.
Tax Preparer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,420 | $22.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,030 | $33.67 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,890 | $40.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,000 | $50.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 48 states and territories for Tax Preparer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tax Preparer salary in other states
New York $71,850Utah $66,720Montana $63,080Missouri $62,780Colorado $62,620Alaska $62,360New Hampshire $61,370Oregon $61,370Pennsylvania $61,270Nevada $60,000Minnesota $59,200Virginia $58,520Massachusetts $58,400Wyoming $57,990Rhode Island $57,680North Dakota $57,060Illinois $54,480Iowa $53,660South Dakota $52,530Delaware $51,960Mississippi $50,670Georgia $49,330Florida $49,020Ohio $49,020North Carolina $48,130Texas $47,460Kansas $47,300Maine $47,150Maryland $47,020Michigan $46,400Indiana $45,710Washington $45,370Arizona $44,770Wisconsin $44,340New Jersey $43,420Nebraska $43,010Oklahoma $42,700Connecticut $41,130South Carolina $39,220Louisiana $38,740New Mexico $38,060Kentucky $36,620Tennessee $36,600West Virginia $35,880Arkansas $35,040Hawaii $34,720Alabama $33,280
Working as a Tax Preparer in California
Nationally, about 76,000 people work as Tax Preparers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($70,030) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tax Preparer make in California?
The median Tax Preparer salary in California is $70,030 per year, or about $33.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,910 at the entry level to $104,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tax Preparers about 28% more than the national median of $54,920. California ranks 2nd out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tax Preparers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,030 a year. About 10,270 Tax Preparers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Tax Preparer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.