Tax Preparers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, tax preparers earn $74,670 at the median — $35.9 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $65,748 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 53.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $75K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
About tax preparers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level tax preparers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K.Top earners bring in $102K or more - a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Tax Preparers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $77K | +52% | 80 |
| New York | $73K | +45% | 6,880 |
| California | $73K | +45% | 10,700 |
| Montana | $71K | +41% | 340 |
| Minnesota | $66K | +30% | 1,330 |
| Texas | $62K | +22% | 5,930 |
| Wyoming | $60K | +19% | 120 |
| Virginia | $59K | +17% | 2,200 |
| North Dakota | $59K | +17% | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $59K | +16% | 1,800 |
| Utah | $59K | +16% | 1,470 |
| Iowa | $57K | +14% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $56K | +12% | 2,460 |
| Rhode Island | $56K | +11% | N/A |
| Idaho | $55K | +8% | N/A |
Track tax preparers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tax preparers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $74,670 a year - that works out to about $35.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,250, and experienced tax preparers can clear $102,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,820/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 54% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tax preparers salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tax preparers salary is worth about $65,748 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tax preparers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.