Tax Preparers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,910
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,420
- 50th Percentile — Median$70,030
- 75th Percentile — Senior$84,890
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$104,000
Half of Tax Preparers in California earn more than $70,030. The top 10% make $104,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,910.
Tax Preparers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 48 states for Tax Preparers pay, at $71,540 per year (17.4% above the U.S. average of $60,930).
- 10,270 people work as Tax Preparers in California — 13.4% of all U.S. Tax Preparers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.15: Tax Preparers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,910; the top 10% earn over $104,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.39 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New York at $79,160.
- Among business jobs in California, Personal Financial Advisors pays the most ($170,070).
Tax Preparers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Tax Preparers here earn $71,540 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $71,540 is roughly equivalent to $50,380 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($79,160), Alaska ($77,490), Missouri ($72,120) are the closest alternatives for Tax Preparers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Business Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Personal Financial Advisors $170,070/yr California +137.7% vs this role
- Financial and Investment Analysts $125,070/yr California +74.8% vs this role
- Project Management Specialists $124,430/yr California +73.9% vs this role
- Financial Examiners $118,710/yr California +65.9% vs this role
- Management Analysts $115,720/yr California +61.8% vs this role
- Credit Analysts $113,670/yr California +58.9% vs this role
- Market Research Analysts $108,120/yr California +51.1% vs this role
- Budget Analysts $105,890/yr California +48.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Tax Preparers salary in California?
The average Tax Preparers salary in California is $71,540 per year (median $70,030), which is 17.4% above the national average of $60,930.
How does California rank for Tax Preparers pay?
California ranks 4th out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is New York ($79,160/yr).
How much do entry-level Tax Preparers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Tax Preparers in California earn about $38,910 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,420.
How much do Tax Preparers make per hour in California?
About $34.39 per hour, based on the $71,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Tax Preparers work in California?
BLS counts 10,270 Tax Preparers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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