Income Tax Preparer Salary in the United States

How much does an Income Tax Preparer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Income Tax Preparer in the United States is $66,002 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Income Tax Preparer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,512
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,084 to $72,550
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,607
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,084 10% $56,607 90% $78,512 75% $72,550 $66,002 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Income Tax Preparer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,550 $6,046 $1,395 $35
Average $66,002 $5,500 $1,269 $32
25th Percentile $61,084 $5,090 $1,175 $29
Check out Income Tax Preparer Job Openings in the United States
Income Tax Manager

Suburban Propane - WHIPPANY, NJ

Senior Tax Advisor

The Income Tax Center - ST. LOUIS, MO

Bookkeeper

The Income Tax Center - SAINT LOUIS, MO

Tax Preparer/Manager

EMD TAX AND FINANCIAL SERVICES - OCEAN ACRES, NJ

Search More Income Tax Preparer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Income Tax Preparer Salaries

An Income Tax Preparer'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 Income Tax Preparer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Income Tax Preparer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $65,157
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,713
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,158
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,447
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,639
Levels Salary
Entry Level Income Tax Preparer$65,157
Intermediate Level Income Tax Preparer$65,713
Senior Level Income Tax Preparer$67,158
Specialist Level Income Tax Preparer$67,447
Expert Level Income Tax Preparer$67,639
$65,157 0 yr
$65,713 < 2 yrs
$67,158 2-4 yrs
$67,447 5-8 yrs
$67,639 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Income Tax Preparers

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: $83,249
  • San Francisco: $82,430
  • Oakland: $80,602

What Skills Can Increase an Income Tax Preparer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.08% 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 3.25% 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 2.29% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.08%
Tax Planning 3.25%
Call Center 2.29%
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 an Income Tax Preparer's salary.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Tax Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Communicates Effectively
$68,642
4%
Leadership
$68,642
4%
Tax Compliance
$67,982
3%
Collaboration
$67,982
3%
Client Relationship
$67,322
2%
Analysis
$67,322
2%
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How Education impacts an Income Tax Preparer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Income Tax Preparers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Income Tax Preparer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,303 and $65,846).

Income Tax Preparer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Income Tax Preparer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 4.4%
Associates 6.2%
Bachelors 52.0%
Masters 34.5%
Doctorate 2.1%
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Income Tax Preparer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Income Tax Preparer'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, 2026

Salary Trends for Income Tax Preparer

Salaries for an Income Tax Preparer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $62,932 in 2023 to around $61,460 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Income Tax Preparer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Income Tax Preparer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,932
2024
$61,974
2025
$61,460
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,932
2024 $61,974
2025 $61,460
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Income Tax Preparer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Income Tax Preparer

Here are companies hiring for Income Tax Preparer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Income Tax Preparer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

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