Tax Preparer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Tax Preparers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $44,560 a year ($21.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,860 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 22% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,600. There are 0.43 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,330, close to the median.
Pay range for tax preparers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| 25th percentile | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Median | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| 75th percentile | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Average (mean) | $44,330 | $21.31 |
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 | $3,713.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,856.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,713.85 |
| Weekly | $856.92 |
| Hourly | $21.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $50,070 | n/a |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,080 | 400 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,940 | 150 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,920 | 80 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,620 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,700 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,410 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,600 | 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 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,680 | $36.87 |
| Loan Officer | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $90,320 | $43.42 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $102,460 | $49.26 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| Budget Analyst | $81,880 | $39.36 |
| Credit Analyst | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $68,190 | $32.78 |
| Credit Counselor | $38,840 | $18.67 |
| Project Management Specialist | $87,240 | $41.94 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Management Analyst | $96,870 | $46.57 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $44,560 a year, or $21.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $63,860 a year. The top 25% earn $52,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,700 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $29,500 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 120 tax preparers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.