Tax Preparer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Tax Preparers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $51,820 a year ($24.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $53,660. There are 0.55 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,330 | $16.03 |
| 25th percentile | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Median | $51,820 | $24.92 |
| 75th percentile | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Average (mean) | $56,490 | $27.16 |
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 | $4,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,993.08 |
| Weekly | $996.54 |
| Hourly | $24.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,560 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,330 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,280 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,650 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $41,600 | 170 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $93,320 | $44.87 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Loan Officer | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Financial Examiner | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Credit Analyst | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $91,480 | $43.98 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $89,270 | $42.92 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| Project Management Specialist | $93,760 | $45.08 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $72,740 | $34.97 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,070 | $30.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $51,820 a year, or $24.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $77,590 a year. The top 25% earn $61,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,330 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $39,370 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 80 tax preparers are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.