A person using a calculator to complete a tax form.

How much tax preparers earn in each state

Written by:
April 5, 2023
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How much tax preparers earn in each state

Tax season is upon us, and while it's certainly a stressful time for all Americans, tax preparers are in the busiest part of their year.

It's a difficult job requiring top-notch organization, attention to detail, and familiarity with computer programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 83,000 tax preparers nationwide earn a median salary of $46,290.

Median wages vary significantly by state, so if you're considering pursuing tax preparation as a career, you should also consider where you want to live.

Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank tax preparer earnings in every state. Delaware and Rhode Island were excluded from the analysis, as data was unavailable. Tax preparers prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses; the bureau's job categorization excludes accountants and auditors.

To qualify for a career as a tax preparer, you'll typically need an associate degree or training at a vocational school, though you might be able to score a role with just a high school diploma. There are also a variety of certifications available that you can use to help boost your business—and potentially your income. These include Certified Income Tax Preparer and Enrolled Agent, among others.

If you're good with numbers, reliably keep track of important information, and are comfortable on a computer, a career as a tax preparer could be a good choice for you.

The Mobile skyline as seen at dusk.
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#48. Alabama

- Total tax preparer jobs: 860 (4.46 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $13.61
- Median annual wage: $28,320

A parking garage and buildings in downtown Jackson.
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#47. Mississippi

- Total tax preparer jobs: 720 (6.53 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $13.90
- Median annual wage: $28,900

An aerial view of New River Gorge, West Virginia.
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#46. West Virginia

- Total tax preparer jobs: 480 (7.34 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $13.95
- Median annual wage: $29,010

Downtown Louisville as seen at night.
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#45. Kentucky

- Total tax preparer jobs: 770 (4.16 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $13.95
- Median annual wage: $29,020

Cars parked along the street in Johnson City.
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#44. Tennessee

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1730 (5.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.26
- Median annual wage: $29,670

A scenic suburb in Ozark.
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Trong Nguyen // Shutterstock

#42. Arkansas (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1100 (9.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.52
- Median annual wage: $30,190

The St. Louis Gateway Arch in Missouri.
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#42. Missouri (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1260 (4.61 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.51
- Median annual wage: $30,190

New Orleans near the water at dusk.
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#41. Louisiana

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1040 (5.83 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.55
- Median annual wage: $30,260

A view of Atlanta's skyline from Lake Meer in Piedmont Park.
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#40. Georgia

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2660 (6.07 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.64
- Median annual wage: $30,450

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#38. Iowa (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 650 (4.35 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.98
- Median annual wage: $31,150

Columbus' skyline as seen on a sunny day from across the Scioto River.
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#38. Ohio (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2200 (4.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $14.98
- Median annual wage: $31,150

Residential suburbs in Albuquerque.
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#37. New Mexico

- Total tax preparer jobs: 400 (5.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $16.69
- Median annual wage: $34,720

Buildings along U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma.
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#36. Oklahoma

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1130 (7.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $17.02
- Median annual wage: $35,400

The scenic river view and waterfront houses in North Myrtle Beach.
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#35. South Carolina

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1900 (9.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $17.31
- Median annual wage: $36,000

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#34. Florida

- Total tax preparer jobs: 6880 (8 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $17.51
- Median annual wage: $36,410

Train tracks as seen outside Omaha at night.
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#33. Nebraska

- Total tax preparer jobs: 470 (4.9 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $17.79
- Median annual wage: $37,000

A large home in Kansas.
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#32. Kansas

- Total tax preparer jobs: 780 (5.79 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $17.93
- Median annual wage: $37,290

An aerial view of Charlotte on a sunny day.
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#31. North Carolina

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1950 (4.41 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $18.14
- Median annual wage: $37,720

The coastline and luxury hotels and apartments in Honolulu.
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#30. Hawaii

- Total tax preparer jobs: Not available
- Median hourly wage: $18.27
- Median annual wage: $37,990

Hartford's skyline as seen from a distance.
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#29. Connecticut

- Total tax preparer jobs: 840 (5.31 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $18.31
- Median annual wage: $38,080

The skyline of Richmond at sunset.
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#28. Virginia

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2060 (5.49 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $18.43
- Median annual wage: $38,330

The western suburbs of Rapid City.
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#27. South Dakota

- Total tax preparer jobs: 340 (8.13 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $18.78
- Median annual wage: $39,070

A neighborhood in Pennsylvania.
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#26. Pennsylvania

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2960 (5.31 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $20.48
- Median annual wage: $42,600

Pedestrians strolling on a boardwalk in Ocean City.
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#25. Maryland

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1560 (6.11 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $20.56
- Median annual wage: $42,760

An aerial view of Indianapolis at sunset.
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#24. Indiana

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1740 (5.83 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.40
- Median annual wage: $46,600

A residential neighborhood in Bayview.
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#23. Wisconsin

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1590 (5.76 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.42
- Median annual wage: $46,640

Buildings in Billings with scenic hills in the background.
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#22. Montana

- Total tax preparer jobs: 310 (6.69 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.48
- Median annual wage: $46,770

Skyscrapers and Lake Michigan in Chicago.
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#20. Illinois (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2490 (4.43 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.55
- Median annual wage: $46,910

Buildings lining a street in downtown Burlington.
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#20. Vermont (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 130 (4.51 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.55
- Median annual wage: $46,910

The waterfront with ferry's docked in Portland.
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#19. Maine

- Total tax preparer jobs: 310 (5.29 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.62
- Median annual wage: $47,040

Portland at sunset with a mountain in the background.
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#18. Oregon

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1420 (7.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.69
- Median annual wage: $47,180

A highway leading into downtown Phoenix.
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#17. Arizona

- Total tax preparer jobs: 2140 (7.43 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.72
- Median annual wage: $47,270

Cars driving down Capitol Boulevard in Boise.
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#15. Idaho (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 390 (5.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.75
- Median annual wage: $47,320

An aerial View of Carson City.
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#15. Nevada (tie)

- Total tax preparer jobs: 600 (4.67 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.75
- Median annual wage: $47,320

A street-level view of New York City at night.
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#14. New York

- Total tax preparer jobs: 6610 (7.62 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $22.84
- Median annual wage: $47,510

Buildings in Fargo as seen at night.
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#13. North Dakota

- Total tax preparer jobs: 150 (3.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $23.06
- Median annual wage: $47,960

Salt Lake City as seen from afar on a sunny day.
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#12. Utah

- Total tax preparer jobs: 750 (4.84 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $23.16
- Median annual wage: $48,170

An aerial view of downtown Deroit at dusk.
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#11. Michigan

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1500 (3.7 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $23.18
- Median annual wage: $48,210

An aerial view of Seattle with the Space Needle in the foreground.
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#10. Washington

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1900 (5.93 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $23.35
- Median annual wage: $48,560

The skyline in downtown Manchester at dusk.
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#9. New Hampshire

- Total tax preparer jobs: 570 (9.04 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $23.35
- Median annual wage: $48,570

A road leading into Silicon Valley.
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#8. California

- Total tax preparer jobs: 8310 (5.03 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $24.71
- Median annual wage: $51,400

An aerial view of Jersey City at sunset.
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#7. New Jersey

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1620 (4.21 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $25.89
- Median annual wage: $53,850

A neighborhood in Minneapolis.
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#6. Minnesota

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1360 (4.96 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $26.78
- Median annual wage: $55,700

An aerial view of downtown Denver on a sunny day.
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#5. Colorado

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1780 (6.8 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $27.17
- Median annual wage: $56,510

An aerial view of Austin and Lady Bird Lake.
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#4. Texas

- Total tax preparer jobs: 9980 (8.16 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $28.57
- Median annual wage: $59,430

Buildings in Casper as seen at night.
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#3. Wyoming

- Total tax preparer jobs: 60 (2.3 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $28.94
- Median annual wage: $60,190

An aerial view of downtown Boston at dusk.
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#2. Massachusetts

- Total tax preparer jobs: 1730 (5.1 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
- Median hourly wage: $29.25
- Median annual wage: $60,840

A historic residential neighborhood in Ketchikan.
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#1. Alaska

- Total tax preparer jobs: Not available
- Median hourly wage: $38.20
- Median annual wage: $79,450

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