The average salary for a tax preparer in the United States is $58,160, but the range typically falls between $35,670 and $76,020. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $27.96, with a range between $17.15 and $36.55.
There are approximately 81,650 people employed as a tax preparer in the United States. With California, Texas, New York employing the highest number of tax preparers.The state with the best pay for a tax preparer is Colorado, with an average annual salary of $72,220, while West Virginia has the lowest average annual salary of $35,770.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Median | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,810 | $47.5 |
The salary of a tax preparer can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a tax preparer in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for tax preparers are Colorado, Alaska, New York, Utah, California while the worst states are West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,430 | $32,430 | $45,060 |
| Alaska | $41,280 | $67,440 | $83,660 |
| Arizona | $30,890 | $52,510 | $87,010 |
| Arkansas | $27,960 | $35,330 | $50,830 |
| California | $34,740 | $70,740 | $121,580 |
| Colorado | $35,780 | $72,220 | $97,210 |
| Connecticut | $30,160 | $50,540 | $79,240 |
| Delaware | $24,440 | $50,220 | $80,520 |
| Florida | $27,730 | $50,120 | $86,900 |
| Georgia | $22,650 | $45,590 | $76,510 |
| Hawaii | $27,160 | $49,230 | $74,880 |
| Idaho | $48,920 | $64,960 | $99,970 |
| Illinois | $29,990 | $49,970 | $79,040 |
| Indiana | $26,820 | $45,480 | $80,460 |
| Iowa | $29,680 | $54,110 | $96,400 |
| Kansas | $23,210 | $46,090 | $79,730 |
| Kentucky | $24,120 | $44,520 | $70,650 |
| Louisiana | $28,090 | $42,870 | $62,970 |
| Maine | $44,320 | $52,820 | $82,480 |
| Maryland | $33,380 | $56,790 | $102,100 |
| Massachusetts | $33,540 | $60,620 | $88,530 |
| Michigan | $34,730 | $58,960 | $89,280 |
| Minnesota | $31,410 | $62,170 | $126,380 |
| Mississippi | $22,370 | $39,850 | $63,340 |
| Missouri | $29,330 | $45,750 | $81,860 |
| Montana | $35,760 | $67,550 | $144,870 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | $46,410 | $75,190 |
| Nevada | $28,010 | $56,800 | $103,320 |
| New Hampshire | $29,180 | $58,910 | $87,250 |
| New Jersey | $31,100 | $58,420 | $97,620 |
| New Mexico | $28,180 | $40,950 | $60,800 |
| New York | $36,760 | $72,810 | $104,940 |
| North Carolina | $26,340 | $58,200 | $97,670 |
| North Dakota | $33,990 | $61,460 | $84,250 |
| Ohio | $26,110 | $45,780 | $64,180 |
| Oklahoma | $26,700 | $42,500 | $72,670 |
| Oregon | $38,010 | $65,510 | $104,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $26,360 | $48,360 | $78,130 |
| Rhode Island | $34,730 | $56,010 | $92,830 |
| South Carolina | $22,150 | $47,670 | $83,460 |
| South Dakota | $36,390 | $50,190 | $69,820 |
| Tennessee | $22,460 | $57,020 | $120,360 |
| Texas | $28,210 | $54,070 | $88,210 |
| Utah | $37,120 | $67,490 | $100,640 |
| Vermont | $38,980 | $55,600 | $80,930 |
| Virginia | $30,280 | $64,400 | $100,270 |
| Washington | $36,630 | $55,140 | $78,430 |
| West Virginia | $22,000 | $35,770 | $69,570 |
| Wisconsin | $31,710 | $52,670 | $85,180 |
| Wyoming | $32,330 | $53,980 | $72,700 |
Even between cities, the salary of a tax preparer can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for tax preparers is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, CA with an average salary of $81,860.The city with the lowest average salary for tax preparers is Sumter, SC with an average salary of $29,550.
Areas with highest average salaries for tax preparers
Areas with lowest average salaries for tax preparers
The number of tax preparers in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of tax preparers has increased by 19,050. On average, the number of tax preparers has been increasing by 7.6% each year. The salary of tax preparers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of tax preparers has increased by $5,450. On average, the salary of tax preparers has been increasing by 2.6% each year.
Tax Preparers are part of the business and financial operations occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for tax preparers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all business and financial operations occupations jobs here.
$98,140 per year
$51,400 per year
$132,810 per year
$71,980 per year
$112,950 per year
$85,610 per year
