Tax Preparer salary in Arkansas
Tax Preparers in Arkansas earn a median of $35,040 a year ($16.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,420 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $54,920. Arkansas ranks 46th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.42 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| 25th percentile | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Median | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,420 | $31.93 |
| Average (mean) | $43,350 | $20.84 |
Half of tax preparers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,460 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,347.69 |
| Weekly | $673.85 |
| Hourly | $16.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,140 | 130 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $35,650 | 100 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,410 | 230 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $30,160 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for tax preparers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 |
| California | $70,030 |
| Utah | $66,720 |
| Montana | $63,080 |
| Missouri | $62,780 |
| Colorado | $62,620 |
| Alaska | $62,360 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 |
| Oregon | $61,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Loan Officer | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Financial Examiner | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $55,140 | $26.51 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Budget Analyst | $71,800 | $34.52 |
| Credit Analyst | $71,370 | $34.31 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $82,130 | $39.48 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Credit Counselor | $45,060 | $21.67 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $61,240 | $29.44 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in Arkansas?
The median salary for tax preparers in Arkansas is $35,040 a year, or $16.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Arkansas earn at least $66,420 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,990 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $29,530 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Arkansas?
About 550 tax preparers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.