Tax Preparer salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Tax Preparers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $30,160 a year ($14.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,630 for the top 10%. That is 45% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 14% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $35,040. There are 0.42 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,450 | $13.20 |
| 25th percentile | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Median | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| 75th percentile | $37,950 | $18.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| Average (mean) | $41,200 | $19.81 |
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 | $2,513.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,256.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,160 |
| Weekly | $580 |
| Hourly | $14.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $49,450 | 590 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,140 | 130 |
| Tulsa, OK | $38,000 | 300 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $35,650 | 100 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,410 | 230 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $62,990 | $30.29 |
| Loan Officer | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,300 | $39.57 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $54,220 | $26.07 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Project Management Specialist | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Management Analyst | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $30,160 a year, or $14.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $63,630 a year. The top 25% earn $37,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,450 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $29,420 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 40 tax preparers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.