Tax Preparer salary in Charleston, WV
Tax Preparers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $45,650 a year ($21.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,070 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 27% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $35,880. There are 0.49 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,040 | $14.44 |
| 25th percentile | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Median | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| 75th percentile | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,070 | $47.15 |
| Average (mean) | $55,360 | $26.62 |
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 | $3,804.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,902.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,755.77 |
| Weekly | $877.88 |
| Hourly | $21.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,890 | 1,150 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35,100 | 60 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Loan Officer | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Financial Examiner | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Credit Analyst | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Credit Counselor | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Compliance Officer | $54,520 | $26.21 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Charleston, WV metro area is $45,650 a year, or $21.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $98,070 a year. The top 25% earn $65,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,040 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $35,630 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Charleston, WV?
About 50 tax preparers are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.