Tax Preparers Salary in U.S. (2024)
In U.S., tax preparers earn $50,560 at the median — $24.31 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $51K get you in U.S.?
About tax preparers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level tax preparers (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $96K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tax preparers make in U.S.?
The median is $50,560 a year - that works out to about $24.31 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,500, and experienced tax preparers can clear $96,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,555/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 39.7% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tax preparers salary is worth about $50,560 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.