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Tax Attorney I Salary in the United States

How much does a Tax Attorney I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tax Attorney I in the United States is $107,569 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,105
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,272 to $123,029
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,166
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tax Attorney I Salaries

A Tax Attorney I'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 Attorney I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tax Attorney I'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 Attorney I (0-2 years): $107,569
  • Tax Attorney II (2-4 years): $151,794
  • Tax Attorney III (4-7 years): $212,821
  • Tax Attorney IV (7+ years): $244,311
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Tax Attorney I0-2 years$107,569
Tax Attorney II2-4 years$151,794
Tax Attorney III4-7 years$212,821
Tax Attorney IV7+ years$244,311
View as Graph

How Do Tax Attorney Is 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 Attorney Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,100.
  • California: $118,649.
  • Massachusetts: $117,067.

Top Paying Cities for Tax Attorney I

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: $135,677
  • San Francisco: $134,191
  • Oakland: $131,363

What Skills Can Increase a Tax Attorney I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.56% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Tax Preparation (Mentioned in 3.15% Job Postings): Tax preparation is the process of preparing tax returns, often income tax returns, often for a person other than the taxpayer, and generally for compensation. Tax preparation may be done by the taxpayer with or without the help of tax preparation software and online services. Tax preparation may also be done by a licensed professional such as an attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled agent, or by an unlicensed tax preparation business. Because United States income tax laws are considered to be complicated, many taxpayers seek outside assistance with taxes (59.2% of individual tax returns in 2007 were filed by paid preparers). The remainder of this article describes tax preparation by someone other than the taxpayer. Some states have licensing requirements for anyone who prepares tax returns for a fee and some for fee-based preparation of state tax returns only. The Free File Alliance provides free tax preparation software for individuals with less than $58,000 of adjusted gross income for tax year 2010. People who make more than $58,000 can use Free File Fillable Forms, electronic versions of U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paper forms.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.56%
Tax Preparation 3.15%
Microsoft Office 1.96%
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 Attorney I's salary.

  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Case Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Child Support: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Service $114,023
6%
Case Management $114,023
6%
Child Support $114,023
6%
Get Latest Data

Tax Attorney I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tax Attorney I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $120,417. While startup companies pay approximate $101,870.

Tax Attorney I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $101,870
Growth Stage 51~500 $107,740
Established 501~5000 $116,284
Enterprise 5000+ $120,417

Tax Attorney I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tax Attorney I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Tax Attorney positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tax Attorney I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tax Attorney I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$134,461$65.025%
Aerospace & Defense$118,326$57.010%
Pharmaceuticals$118,326$57.010%
Software & Networking$118,326$57.010%
Insurance$112,947$54.05%

How Education impacts an Tax Attorney I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tax Attorney I 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 Attorney I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Tax Attorney I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tax Attorney I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.7%
High School 93.3%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 6.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 93.3%
View as Graph

Tax Attorney I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tax Attorney I'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
$94,272
Average $107,569/year
$123,029
$7,856
Average $8,964/month
$10,252
$1,813
Average $2,069/week
$2,366
$45
Average $52/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,029 $10,252 $2,366 $59
Average $107,569 $8,964 $2,069 $52
25th Percentile $94,272 $7,856 $1,813 $45

Tax Attorney I Salary Growth & Career Path

Tax Attorney I

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Advancement

For a Tax Attorney I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Tax Attorney II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $151,794 - a projected growth of 41% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Tax Attorney I

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

Common company salaries for Tax Attorney I

Here are companies hiring for Tax Attorney I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Tax Attorney I

1. Where can a Tax Attorney I earn the most?

A Tax Attorney I'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 Attorney I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Tax Attorney I is $135,677.

2. What is the highest pay for Tax Attorney I?

The highest pay for Tax Attorney I is $137,105.

3. What is the lowest pay for Tax Attorney I?

The lowest pay for Tax Attorney I is $82,166.

4. What are the responsibilities of Tax Attorney I?

Responsible for advising individuals and/or businesses on tax planning strategies. Assists in navigating complex tax codes and minimizing tax liabilities. Prepares legal documents and offers counsel on the impact of tax laws. May act as an organization's or individual's representation in dealing with local, state, and federal tax agencies. Stays current on the latest changes in federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Tax Attorney I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Tax Attorney I roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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