Median Salary
$54,920
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$26.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$99,270
entry level starts ~$33,760
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 76,000 employed
How much does a Tax Preparer make?
The median pay for a Tax Preparer in the United States is $54,920 per year — about $26.40 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $33,760, while the most experienced Tax Preparers in the top 10% earn $99,270.
That is $6,470 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Tax Preparer salary range by percentile
Half of all Tax Preparers earn between $38,910 and $76,300 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,760 | $16.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,920 | $26.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $76,300 | $36.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,270 | $47.73 |
|
Highest-paying states for Tax Preparer
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Tax Preparer pay at $71,850 a year, followed by California ($70,030) and Utah ($66,720). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $33,280 — a gap of $38,570 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Tax Preparer salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 48 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $36,620Tennessee $36,600West Virginia $35,880Arkansas $35,040Hawaii $34,720Alabama $33,280
Workforce and education
About 76,000 people work as Tax Preparers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $60,930 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tax Preparer make in the United States?
The median Tax Preparer salary in the United States is $54,920 per year, or about $26.40 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,760, while the top 10% of earners make $99,270 or more.
How does Tax Preparer pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Tax Preparer median of $54,920 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Tax Preparers the most?
New York is the highest-paying state for Tax Preparers, with a median salary of $71,850 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Tax Preparer?
Becoming a Tax Preparer typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Tax Preparers work in the United States?
About 76,000 people were employed as Tax Preparers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.