SOC 13-2082 · May 2025 · United States
Tax Preparers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
$54,920 /year
The median wage for Tax Preparers across the United States is $54,920 per year, measured over 76,480 jobs. The highest state median is in New York, at $71,850.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Tax Preparers
Pay for this occupation varies by 115.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. New York pays $71,850 and Alabama pays $33,280.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $71,850 | 7,620 | |
| 2 | California | $70,030 | 10,270 | |
| 3 | Utah | $66,720 | 1,190 | |
| 4 | Montana | $63,080 | 360 | |
| 5 | Missouri | $62,780 | 1,330 | |
| 6 | Colorado | $62,620 | 1,540 | |
| 7 | Alaska | $62,360 | 70 | |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $61,370 | 420 | |
| 9 | Oregon | $61,370 | 1,590 | |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $61,270 | 2,010 |
States with the most Tax Preparers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10,270 | $70,030 | |
| 2 | New York | 7,620 | $71,850 | |
| 3 | Texas | 6,010 | $47,460 | |
| 4 | New Jersey | 3,220 | $43,420 | |
| 5 | North Carolina | 2,710 | $48,130 | |
| 6 | Arizona | 2,240 | $44,770 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 2,010 | $61,270 | |
| 8 | Virginia | 1,960 | $58,520 | |
| 9 | Indiana | 1,820 | $45,710 | |
| 10 | Georgia | 1,670 | $49,330 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $84,240 | 1,410 |
| 2 | San Jose | $81,180 | 760 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $78,920 | 560 |
| 4 | Jefferson City | $75,990 | 30 |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $71,800 | 60 |
| 6 | New York | $71,300 | 8,100 |
| 7 | Amarillo | $70,980 | 60 |
| 8 | San Diego | $70,170 | 690 |
| 9 | St. Louis | $69,210 | 380 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City | $66,920 | 670 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.