Tax Preparer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Tax Preparers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $63,560 a year ($30.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,300 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 18% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $53,660. There are 0.53 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 25th percentile | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Median | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| 75th percentile | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,300 | $45.34 |
| Average (mean) | $66,960 | $32.19 |
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 | $5,296.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,648.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,444.62 |
| Weekly | $1,222.31 |
| Hourly | $30.56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $61,330 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,280 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,820 | 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,340 | $38.63 |
| Loan Officer | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Financial Examiner | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $108,110 | $51.98 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Budget Analyst | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| Credit Counselor | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $63,560 a year, or $30.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $94,300 a year. The top 25% earn $80,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,520 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $46,970 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 210 tax preparers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.