Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, New York
$82,000 / year
≈ $6,850 per month · $39.42 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for New York · median $74,500
25th percentile
$59,000Average
$82,00075th percentile
$104,500
$59,000Average
$82,00075th percentile
$104,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Tax Preparer salary by state
Alabama$35,500
Alaska$80,000
Arizona$65,000
Arkansas$45,000
California$74,000
Colorado$69,500
Connecticut$54,000
Delaware$56,000
Florida$56,500
Georgia$57,500
Hawaii$42,000
Illinois$56,500
Indiana$53,500
Iowa$61,500
Kansas$58,000
Kentucky$47,500
Louisiana$46,000
Maine$51,500
Maryland$56,500
Massachusetts$60,500
Michigan$56,000
Minnesota$65,000
Mississippi$58,500
Missouri$74,500
Montana$71,500
Nebraska$48,500
Nevada$72,000
New Hampshire$67,000
New Jersey$54,500
New Mexico$42,000
New York$82,000
North Carolina$60,000
North Dakota$64,000
Ohio$54,000
Oklahoma$50,500
Oregon$68,500
Pennsylvania$69,000
Rhode Island$59,000
South Carolina$53,000
South Dakota$57,500
Tennessee$47,500
Texas$58,500
Utah$70,000
Virginia$63,500
Washington$51,000
West Virginia$41,500
Wisconsin$51,000
Wyoming$69,500
About this role
Tax Preparer is a professional role within the function in the Business and Financial Operations job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Tax Preparers do
Typical education: High School Diploma
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Top skills: Reading Comprehension Active Listening Critical Thinking Time Management Speaking Active Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Tax Preparer pay by experience level
Entry level$35,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$40,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$57,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$79,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$102,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
10,400
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Tax Preparer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
74,040 workers
$63,000Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services
72,250 workers
$62,500Publishing Industries
1,240 workers
$61,000Software Publishers
1,240 workers
$61,000Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
1,010 workers
$81,500Legal Services
640 workers
$67,500Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
310 workers
$82,000Social Assistance
50 workers
$55,500Individual and Family Services
50 workers
$55,500Nondepository Credit Intermediation
40 workers
$99,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Tax Preparer pays 33% below the average across 47 roles in the Business and Financial Operations job family (family average $94,500).
Similar-paying roles in Business and Financial Operations
Farm Labor Contractor$60,500
Credit Counselor$59,000
Fundraiser$80,000
Human Resources Specialist$85,000
Careers related to Tax Preparer
Accountants and Auditors$98,000
Personal Financial Advisor$162,000
Credit Counselor$59,000
Credit Analyst$104,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tax Preparer make?
The average base salary for a Tax Preparer in the United States is $63,000 per year, or about $30.29 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $40,500 and $79,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Business and Financial Operations roles?
The Business and Financial Operations job family averages $94,500 across 47 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Put this data to work
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