Iowa Median
$53,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $54,920
State Rank
#19 of 48
780 employed here
How much does a Tax Preparer make in Iowa?
Tax Preparers in Iowa take home a median of $53,660 annually — roughly $25.80 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $54,920.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $33,520 while the top 10% make $84,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,970 and $73,660 a year.
Tax Preparer salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,520 | $16.12 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,970 | $18.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,660 | $25.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,660 | $35.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 19th out of 48 states and territories for Tax Preparer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tax Preparer salary in other states
New York $71,850California $70,030Utah $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 $54,480South 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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($53,660) 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 Iowa?
The median Tax Preparer salary in Iowa is $53,660 per year, or about $25.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,520 at the entry level to $84,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Tax Preparers about 2% less than the national median of $54,920. Iowa ranks 19th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Tax Preparers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,660 a year. About 780 Tax Preparers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.