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Tax Accountant III Salary in the United States

How much does a Tax Accountant III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tax Accountant III in the United States is $88,230 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Tax Accountant III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,843
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,442 to $92,215
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,262
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tax Accountant III Salaries

A Tax Accountant 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.

How Experience Level Affects Tax Accountant III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tax Accountant 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:

  • Tax Accountant I (0-2 years): $66,709
  • Tax Accountant II (2-4 years): $77,932
  • Tax Accountant III (4-7 years): $88,230
  • Tax Accountant IV (7+ years): $107,442
  • Tax Accountant V (7-10 years): $163,736
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tax Accountant I0-2 years$66,709
Tax Accountant II2-4 years$77,932
Tax Accountant III4-7 years$88,230
Tax Accountant IV7+ years$107,442
Tax Accountant V7-10 years$163,736
View as Graph

How Do Tax Accountant IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Accountant IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,688.
  • California: $97,318.
  • Massachusetts: $96,021.

Top Paying Cities for Tax Accountant III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $111,284
  • San Francisco: $110,066
  • Oakland: $107,746

What Skills Can Increase a Tax Accountant III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.09% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Tax Planning (Mentioned in 3.27% Job Postings): Tax planning refers to financial planning for tax efficiency. It aims to reduce one's tax liabilities and optimally utilize tax exemptions, tax rebates, and benefits as much as possible. Tax planning includes making financial and business decisions to minimise the incidence of tax.
  • Call Center (Mentioned in 2.3% Job Postings): A call centre or call center is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.09%
Tax Planning 3.27%
Call Center 2.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Tax Accountant III's salary.

  • Empathy: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Tax Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Empathy $92,642
5%
Partnering $92,642
5%
Tax Compliance $91,759
4%
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Tax Accountant III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tax Accountant III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,768. While startup companies pay approximate $83,556.

Tax Accountant III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,556
Growth Stage 51~500 $88,370
Established 501~5000 $95,378
Enterprise 5000+ $98,768

Tax Accountant III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tax Accountant III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Tax Accountant positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tax Accountant III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tax Accountant III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$114,699$55.030%
Pharmaceuticals$110,288$53.025%
Energy & Utilities$105,876$51.020%
Financial Services$105,876$51.020%
Software & Networking$105,876$51.020%

How Education impacts an Tax Accountant III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tax Accountant III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Tax Accountant III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $95,253 and $100,278.

Tax Accountant III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tax Accountant III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 1.7%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 48.7%
Masters 43.4%
Doctorate 4.1%
View as Graph

Tax Accountant III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tax Accountant 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 August 01, 2026
$81,442
Average $88,230/year
$92,215
$6,787
Average $7,353/month
$7,685
$1,566
Average $1,697/week
$1,773
$39
Average $42/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,215 $7,685 $1,773 $44
Average $88,230 $7,353 $1,697 $42
25th Percentile $81,442 $6,787 $1,566 $39

Tax Accountant III Salary Growth & Career Path

Tax Accountant III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Tax Accountant III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Tax Compliance Analyst IV $107,537 22%
International Tax Senior Specialist $107,537 22%
Tax Research Manager $130,856 48%
Tax Accountant IV $107,442 22%

Most common benefits for Tax Accountant III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Tax Accountant III

Here are companies hiring for Tax Accountant III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Tax Accountant III

1. Where can a Tax Accountant III earn the most?

A Tax Accountant III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Tax Accountant III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Tax Accountant III is $111,284.

2. What is the highest pay for Tax Accountant III?

The highest pay for Tax Accountant III is $95,843.

3. What is the lowest pay for Tax Accountant III?

The lowest pay for Tax Accountant III is $75,262.

4. What are the responsibilities of Tax Accountant III?

Responsible for preparing and filing tax returns, statements, and other reports at required intervals. Prepares paperwork for local, state, and federal level returns for submission. Examines, analyzes, and interprets accounting and financial records to prepare reports and provide recommendations. Determines and calculates tax implications and develops strategies for minimizing liability. Stays current on federal, state, and local tax legislation to ensure compliance. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or related discipline. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Tax Accountant III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Tax Accountant III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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