Tax Preparers Salary in California
Tax Preparers in California earn a median annual wage of $70,030 —27.5% above the national median of $54,920. That ranks CA #2 of 48 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.15× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for tax preparers
All 48 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $71,850 | $34.54 | 7,620 | 1.60 |
| 2 | California | $70,030 | $33.67 | 10,270 | 1.15 |
| 3 | Utah | $66,720 | $32.08 | 1,190 | 1.40 |
| 4 | Montana | $63,080 | $30.33 | 360 | 1.42 |
| 5 | Missouri | $62,780 | $30.18 | 1,330 | 0.92 |
| 6 | Colorado | $62,620 | $30.11 | 1,540 | 1.09 |
| 7 | Alaska | $62,360 | $29.98 | 70 | 0.46 |
| 8 | Oregon | $61,370 | $29.51 | 1,590 | 1.64 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $61,370 | $29.51 | 420 | 1.24 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $61,270 | $29.46 | 2,010 | 0.67 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,050 | $83,680 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $83,050 |
| Project Management Specialists | $120,910 | $102,320 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $83,500 | $75,940 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $78,760 |
| Management Analysts | $101,460 | $101,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do tax preparers make in California?
The median annual wage for tax preparers in California is $70,030, or $33.67 per hour. That is 27.5% above the national median of $54,920.
What is the entry-level tax preparers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,910 per year ($18.71/hour). The 25th percentile is $47,420.
How many people work as tax preparers in California?
About 10,270 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for tax preparers?
California ranks #2 of 48 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.15x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays tax preparers the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $71,850 per year, followed by California ($70,030) and Utah ($66,720).