Tax Preparer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Tax Preparers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $46,450 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,740 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $46,400. There are 0.44 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| 25th percentile | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Median | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $64,410 | $30.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Average (mean) | $55,770 | $26.81 |
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 | $3,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.54 |
| Weekly | $893.27 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,570 | 140 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $51,870 | 70 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,650 | $38.78 |
| Loan Officer | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Credit Analyst | $74,640 | $35.89 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $105,110 | $50.54 |
| Budget Analyst | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Credit Counselor | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Financial Examiner | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,350 | $50.65 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $46,450 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $81,740 a year. The top 25% earn $64,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,000 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $40,580 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 830 tax preparers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.