Tax Preparer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Tax Preparers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $57,090 a year ($27.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 19% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $48,130. There are 0.42 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Median | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| 75th percentile | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,570 | $45.95 |
| Average (mean) | $61,570 | $29.60 |
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 | $4,757.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,378.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,195.77 |
| Weekly | $1,097.88 |
| Hourly | $27.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $52,220 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,940 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,930 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,860 | 150 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,290 | n/a |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,250 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,320 | 370 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $43,550 | 30 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,090 | $40.91 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Loan Officer | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $65,050 | $31.27 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $109,770 | $52.78 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Credit Analyst | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,110 | $44.76 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,100 | $38.99 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $57,090 a year, or $27.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $95,570 a year. The top 25% earn $77,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,460 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $45,670 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 150 tax preparers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.