Tax Preparers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, tax preparers earn $83,600 at the median — $40.19 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $75,711 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 66.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $84K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About tax preparers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level tax preparers (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K.Top earners bring in $120K or more - a $75K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tax preparers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $83,600 a year - that works out to about $40.19 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,740, and experienced tax preparers can clear $119,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,274/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 66% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $75,711 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.