Tax Preparers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for tax preparers in the United States was $54,920 ($26.40 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 25th | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Median | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| 75th | $76,300 | $36.68 |
| 90th | $99,270 | $47.72 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 13-2082
- Total U.S. employment: 76,480
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $33,760, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $99,270 — a 2.9x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $26.40 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $54,912 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $54,920.
Tax Preparers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,280 | $16.00 | -39.4% | 290 |
| Alaska | $62,360 | $29.98 | +13.5% | 70 |
| Arizona | $44,770 | $21.52 | -18.5% | 2,240 |
| Arkansas | $35,040 | $16.85 | -36.2% | 550 |
| California | $70,030 | $33.67 | +27.5% | 10,270 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | $30.11 | +14.0% | 1,540 |
| Connecticut | $41,130 | $19.77 | -25.1% | 700 |
| Delaware | $51,960 | $24.98 | -5.4% | 240 |
| Florida | $49,020 | $23.57 | -10.7% | 0 |
| Georgia | $49,330 | $23.72 | -10.2% | 1,670 |
| Hawaii | $34,720 | $16.69 | -36.8% | 0 |
| Illinois | $54,480 | $26.19 | -0.8% | 1,310 |
| Indiana | $45,710 | $21.98 | -16.8% | 1,820 |
| Iowa | $53,660 | $25.80 | -2.3% | 780 |
| Kansas | $47,300 | $22.74 | -13.9% | 450 |
| Kentucky | $36,620 | $17.60 | -33.3% | 1,080 |
| Louisiana | $38,740 | $18.63 | -29.5% | 650 |
| Maine | $47,150 | $22.67 | -14.1% | 250 |
| Maryland | $47,020 | $22.61 | -14.4% | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | $58,400 | $28.08 | +6.3% | 1,500 |
| Michigan | $46,400 | $22.31 | -15.5% | 1,660 |
| Minnesota | $59,200 | $28.46 | +7.8% | 1,040 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | $24.36 | -7.7% | 580 |
| Missouri | $62,780 | $30.18 | +14.3% | 1,330 |
| Montana | $63,080 | $30.33 | +14.9% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $43,010 | $20.68 | -21.7% | 420 |
| Nevada | $60,000 | $28.85 | +9.2% | 1,410 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 | $29.51 | +11.7% | 420 |
| New Jersey | $43,420 | $20.88 | -20.9% | 3,220 |
| New Mexico | $38,060 | $18.30 | -30.7% | 340 |
| New York | $71,850 | $34.54 | +30.8% | 7,620 |
| North Carolina | $48,130 | $23.14 | -12.4% | 2,710 |
| North Dakota | $57,060 | $27.43 | +3.9% | 220 |
| Ohio | $49,020 | $23.57 | -10.7% | 1,590 |
| Oklahoma | $42,700 | $20.53 | -22.3% | 1,300 |
| Oregon | $61,370 | $29.51 | +11.7% | 1,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 | $29.46 | +11.6% | 2,010 |
| Rhode Island | $57,680 | $27.73 | +5.0% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $39,220 | $18.86 | -28.6% | 1,360 |
| South Dakota | $52,530 | $25.26 | -4.4% | 280 |
| Tennessee | $36,600 | $17.59 | -33.4% | 1,260 |
| Texas | $47,460 | $22.82 | -13.6% | 6,010 |
| Utah | $66,720 | $32.08 | +21.5% | 1,190 |
| Virginia | $58,520 | $28.13 | +6.6% | 1,960 |
| Washington | $45,370 | $21.81 | -17.4% | 1,360 |
| West Virginia | $35,880 | $17.25 | -34.7% | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $44,340 | $21.32 | -19.3% | 1,550 |
| Wyoming | $57,990 | $27.88 | +5.6% | 90 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for tax preparers?
The median annual wage for tax preparers is $54,920 ($26.40 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays tax preparers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many tax preparers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 76,480 tax preparers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do tax preparers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $26.40. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.