South Dakota Median
$52,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $54,920
State Rank
#20 of 48
280 employed here
How much does a Tax Preparer make in South Dakota?
Tax Preparers in South Dakota take home a median of $52,530 annually — roughly $25.25 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $54,920.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $39,080 while the top 10% make $77,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,100 and $63,850 a year.
Tax Preparer salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,080 | $18.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,530 | $25.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,850 | $30.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,480 | $37.25 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 20th 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 $54,480Iowa $53,660Delaware $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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($52,530) 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 South Dakota?
The median Tax Preparer salary in South Dakota is $52,530 per year, or about $25.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,080 at the entry level to $77,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Tax Preparers about 4% less than the national median of $54,920. South Dakota ranks 20th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Tax Preparers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,530 a year. About 280 Tax Preparers are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.