As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tax Counsel III in the United States is $212,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $102.
However, a Tax Counsel III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
A Tax Counsel III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Tax Counsel III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Tax Counsel III | $205,818 |
| Intermediate Level Tax Counsel III | $206,930 |
| Senior Level Tax Counsel III | $208,709 |
| Specialist Level Tax Counsel III | $214,483 |
| Expert Level Tax Counsel III | $224,445 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Tax Counsel IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 4.27% |
| Estate Planning | 2.74% |
| Microsoft Office | 2.17% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Confidentiality
|
$271,987 |
28%
|
|
Legal Research
|
$267,737 |
26%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$242,239 |
14%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$237,989 |
12%
|
|
Legal Advice
|
$235,864 |
11%
|
|
Planning
|
$229,489 |
8%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tax Counsel IIIs enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Tax Counsel III with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $197,883 and $213,714).
Tax Counsel III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 100.0% |
| High School | 0.0% |
| Associates | 0.0% |
| Bachelors | 0.0% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 100.0% |
Understanding how a Tax Counsel III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026For a Tax Counsel III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Attorney, Specialist - Taxes role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $244,000 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for a Tax Counsel III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $170,064 in 2023 to around $151,396 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Tax Counsel III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $170,064 |
| 2024 | $155,611 |
| 2025 | $151,396 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Tax Counsel III and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Tax Counsel III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A CPA is indeed a tax expert, but their role extends beyond just tax preparation. While both CPAs and tax preparers can handle tax filings, CPAs offer a broader range of financial services and expertise. Many CPAs may not focus solely on tax preparation, which can lead to varying salary ranges, with Tax Counsel positions earning between $170,190 and $225,690 annually.
The highest salary for a Tax Counsel is $225,690, with a minimum salary of $170,190 and a mid-range salary of $212,490. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for professionals in this field.
Tax attorneys in the U.S. earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $170,190, a median of $212,490, and a maximum of $225,690. This reflects the high demand and specialized knowledge required in tax law, making it a lucrative career choice for legal professionals.
A tax expert in the USA typically earns between $170,190 and $225,690, with a median salary of around $212,490. This reflects a significant difference compared to general salary data, highlighting the specialized nature and demand for tax counsel roles in the financial sector.
The salary for a Tax Counsel at the IRS in the United States ranges from a minimum of $170,190 to a maximum of $225,690, with a mid-range salary of $212,490. This reflects the specialized nature of the role and the expertise required, significantly higher than the average pay for similar positions in other sectors.
The highest paying tax job is Tax Counsel, with a salary range of $170,190 to $225,690 per year. This role typically offers a mid-salary of $212,490, making it a lucrative option for professionals in the tax field. Other high-paying positions include Tax Director and Senior International Tax Manager, but Tax Counsel stands out for its competitive compensation.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
