Tax Preparers Salary by State
The national median pay for tax preparers is $54,920 a year. By state, it ranges from $33,280 in Alabama to $71,850 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $33,760
- 25th percentile
- $38,910
- Median
- $54,920
- 75th percentile
- $76,300
- Top 10%
- $99,270
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 76,480 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $71,850 | +31% | $39,010 | $125,070 | 7,620 |
| 2 | California | $70,030 | +28% | $38,910 | $104,000 | 10,270 |
| 3 | Utah | $66,720 | +21% | $38,430 | $102,840 | 1,190 |
| 4 | Montana | $63,080 | +15% | $44,300 | $100,060 | 360 |
| 5 | Missouri | $62,780 | +14% | $31,400 | $124,300 | 1,330 |
| 6 | Colorado | $62,620 | +14% | $37,790 | $97,980 | 1,540 |
| 7 | Alaska | $62,360 | +14% | $40,340 | $117,890 | 70 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $61,370 | +12% | $36,100 | $97,020 | 420 |
| 9 | Oregon | $61,370 | +12% | $43,640 | $96,550 | 1,590 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $61,270 | +12% | $31,200 | $103,570 | 2,010 |
| 11 | Nevada | $60,000 | +9% | $41,900 | $99,500 | 1,410 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $59,200 | +8% | $36,520 | $95,520 | 1,040 |
| 13 | Virginia | $58,520 | +7% | $36,330 | $98,700 | 1,960 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $58,400 | +6% | $37,560 | $82,700 | 1,500 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $57,990 | +6% | $37,830 | $92,380 | 90 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $57,680 | +5% | $52,000 | $62,580 | Not published |
| 17 | North Dakota | $57,060 | +4% | $37,080 | $89,310 | 220 |
| 18 | Illinois | $54,480 | −1% | $33,030 | $76,150 | 1,310 |
| 19 | Iowa | $53,660 | −2% | $33,520 | $84,700 | 780 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $52,530 | −4% | $39,080 | $77,480 | 280 |
| 21 | Delaware | $51,960 | −5% | $37,910 | $74,650 | 240 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $50,670 | −8% | $29,140 | $88,790 | 580 |
| 23 | Georgia | $49,330 | −10% | $30,780 | $97,020 | 1,670 |
| 24 | Florida | $49,020 | −11% | $30,380 | $94,330 | Not published |
| 25 | Ohio | $49,020 | −11% | $36,190 | $74,850 | 1,590 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $48,130 | −12% | $35,480 | $97,720 | 2,710 |
| 27 | Texas | $47,460 | −14% | $31,110 | $86,950 | 6,010 |
| 28 | Kansas | $47,300 | −14% | $30,980 | $99,090 | 450 |
| 29 | Maine | $47,150 | −14% | $38,800 | $63,260 | 250 |
| 30 | Maryland | $47,020 | −14% | $37,700 | $69,790 | 1,240 |
| 31 | Michigan | $46,400 | −16% | $29,600 | $77,950 | 1,660 |
| 32 | Indiana | $45,710 | −17% | $27,190 | $86,360 | 1,820 |
| 33 | Washington | $45,370 | −17% | $38,260 | $71,480 | 1,360 |
| 34 | Arizona | $44,770 | −18% | $36,970 | $104,740 | 2,240 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $44,340 | −19% | $34,920 | $73,130 | 1,550 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $43,420 | −21% | $34,250 | $77,640 | 3,220 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $43,010 | −22% | $30,920 | $71,580 | 420 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $42,700 | −22% | $26,720 | $82,210 | 1,300 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $41,130 | −25% | $35,740 | $81,750 | 700 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $39,220 | −29% | $28,040 | $80,880 | 1,360 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $38,740 | −29% | $24,920 | $61,880 | 650 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $38,060 | −31% | $27,250 | $60,000 | 340 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $36,620 | −33% | $21,750 | $80,690 | 1,080 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $36,600 | −33% | $27,770 | $77,270 | 1,260 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $35,880 | −35% | $21,880 | $63,760 | 330 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $35,040 | −36% | $28,990 | $66,420 | 550 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $34,720 | −37% | $29,120 | $69,270 | Not published |
| 48 | Alabama | $33,280 | −39% | $23,290 | $48,020 | 290 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Tax Preparers salary questions
Which state pays tax preparers the most?
New York, with a median of $71,850 a year (+31% vs. the national median of $54,920). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays tax preparers the least?
Alabama, with a median of $33,280 a year (−39% vs. national).
Where do most tax preparers work?
California has the most jobs, about 10,270, with a median of $70,030.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.