Tax Preparer salary in Bellingham, WA
Tax Preparers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $44,250 a year ($21.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,640 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 2% lower than the Washington statewide median of $45,370. There are 0.52 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| 25th percentile | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Median | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| 75th percentile | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| Average (mean) | $45,850 | $22.05 |
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 | $3,687.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,843.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,701.92 |
| Weekly | $850.96 |
| Hourly | $21.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,350 | 870 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,860 | 780 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $44,250 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $40,160 | 120 |
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 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Loan Officer | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $95,330 | $45.83 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Credit Analyst | $92,900 | $44.66 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,400 | $49.71 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $75,780 | $36.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Cost Estimator | $83,130 | $39.97 |
| Management Analyst | $84,620 | $40.69 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $44,250 a year, or $21.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $52,640 a year. The top 25% earn $44,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,420 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $39,480 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Bellingham, WA?
About 50 tax preparers are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.