Salary guide
Tax Preparer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What tax preparers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median tax preparer salary in the U.S. is $54,920 per year, or $26.40 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $33,760, while the top 10% earned more than $99,270.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Tax Preparer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,760 | $16.23 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $54,920 | $26.40 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $76,300 | $36.68 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $99,270 | $47.73 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $38,910 | $54,920 | $76,300 |
| Per month | $3,243 | $4,577 | $6,358 |
| Every two weeks | $1,497 | $2,112 | $2,935 |
| Per week | $748 | $1,056 | $1,467 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects tax preparer pay
- Industry and company size
- Professional credentials (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificates)
- Software skills such as Excel, QuickBooks, CRM and HR systems
- Remote or hybrid roles tied to higher-cost labor markets
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a tax preparer
- Get credentialed: IRS PTIN, IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), Enrolled Agent (EA).
- Build specialty experience: Handle complex and business returns.
- Move up: roles such as enrolled agent and tax office manager or practice owner typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Tax Preparer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of tax preparers to change by +4.7% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 13-2082 (“Tax preparers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Tax Preparer salary FAQ
How much does a tax preparer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for tax preparers was $26.40 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $16.23 and the top 10% earned about $47.73 or more.
How much does a tax preparer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $54,920, that works out to about $4,577 per month before taxes, or about $2,112 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a tax preparer?
New tax preparers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $33,760 and the 25th percentile was $38,910 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can tax preparers earn more?
Common ways include earning IRS PTIN and IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as enrolled agent.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-2082 (Tax preparers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Tax preparers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.