Tax Preparer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Tax Preparers Make?
Tax Preparers earn a median annual salary of $50,560 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,500 at the 10th percentile to $96,240 at the 90th percentile — a range of $65,740. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $77,010.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,500 |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 |
| Median (50th) | $50,560 |
| 75th percentile | $75,590 |
| 90th percentile | $96,240 |
Tax Preparer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $77,010 |
| New York | $73,230 |
| California | $73,210 |
| Montana | $71,370 |
| Minnesota | $65,530 |
| Colorado | $62,860 |
| Texas | $61,510 |
| Wyoming | $60,340 |
| Virginia | $59,220 |
| North Dakota | $59,130 |
| Massachusetts | $58,720 |
| Utah | $58,660 |
| Iowa | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $56,440 |
| Rhode Island | $56,070 |
| Idaho | $54,500 |
| Vermont | $54,240 |
| Maine | $51,240 |
| South Dakota | $51,060 |
| Ohio | $50,760 |
| Oregon | $49,220 |
| Nebraska | $49,020 |
| Connecticut | $48,950 |
| Florida | $48,790 |
| North Carolina | $47,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,340 |
| Michigan | $46,870 |
| New Hampshire | $46,650 |
| Indiana | $46,430 |
| Hawaii | $46,170 |
| Wisconsin | $46,010 |
| Washington | $45,120 |
| Maryland | $45,080 |
| Kansas | $44,810 |
| Arizona | $43,710 |
| Missouri | $42,280 |
| Delaware | $42,110 |
| Georgia | $41,780 |
| Nevada | $41,480 |
| Illinois | $39,220 |
| New Mexico | $38,070 |
| Oklahoma | $37,860 |
| South Carolina | $37,550 |
| Louisiana | $37,430 |
| Arkansas | $36,070 |
| Kentucky | $35,830 |
| Tennessee | $35,640 |
| Alabama | $33,490 |
| Mississippi | $33,390 |
| West Virginia | $30,470 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Tax Preparers
Tax Preparer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$30,500 – $37,750 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$50,560 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$75,590 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $96,240+ |
How to Earn More as a Tax Preparer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Tax Preparers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $83,600 — $33,040 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($75,590) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Tax Preparer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Tax Preparerthis career | $50,560 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist | $77,020 |
| Accountants and Auditor | $81,680 |
| Budget Analyst | $87,930 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Tax Preparer requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 13-2082.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.