Tennessee Median
$36,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $54,920
State Rank
#44 of 48
1,260 employed here
How much does a Tax Preparer make in Tennessee?
A Tax Preparer working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $36,600 per year, or about $17.60 per hour. That is 33% below the national median of $54,920 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,770 while the top 10% make $77,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,500 and $59,120 a year.
Tax Preparer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,770 | $13.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,500 | $14.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,120 | $28.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 44th 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 $53,660South 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 $36,620West Virginia $35,880Arkansas $35,040Hawaii $34,720Alabama $33,280
Working as a Tax Preparer in Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($36,600) 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 Tennessee?
The median Tax Preparer salary in Tennessee is $36,600 per year, or about $17.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,770 at the entry level to $77,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Tax Preparers about 33% less than the national median of $54,920. Tennessee ranks 44th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Tax Preparers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,600 a year. About 1,260 Tax Preparers are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.