Tax Preparer salary in California
Tax Preparers in California earn a median of $70,030 a year ($33.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,000 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $54,920. California ranks 2nd of 48 states for tax preparers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.56 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Median | $70,030 | $33.67 |
| 75th percentile | $84,890 | $40.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $71,540 | $34.39 |
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 | $5,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,917.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,693.46 |
| Weekly | $1,346.73 |
| Hourly | $33.67 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,240 | 1,410 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,180 | 760 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $71,800 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $70,170 | 690 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $65,930 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,120 | 3,250 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,630 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,060 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $62,050 | 260 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,460 | 110 |
| Redding, CA | $61,200 | 60 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $60,480 | n/a |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,430 | 740 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $59,490 | n/a |
| Fresno, CA | $58,970 | 250 |
| Chico, CA | $41,600 | 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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,050 | $46.66 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $109,110 | $52.46 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Loan Officer | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $129,110 | $62.07 |
| Credit Analyst | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Financial Examiner | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $99,520 | $47.84 |
| Credit Counselor | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for tax preparers in California is $70,030 a year, or $33.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in California?
The top 10% of tax preparers in California earn at least $104,000 a year. The top 25% earn $84,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,910 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $47,420 or less.
How many tax preparers work in California?
About 10,270 tax preparers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.