Tax Preparer salary in Helena, MT
Tax Preparers in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $59,170 a year ($28.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,340 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 6% lower than the Montana statewide median of $63,080. There are 0.69 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| 25th percentile | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Median | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 75th percentile | $84,020 | $40.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Average (mean) | $67,400 | $32.41 |
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 | $4,930.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,465.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,275.77 |
| Weekly | $1,137.88 |
| Hourly | $28.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $65,930 | 80 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Loan Officer | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,500 | $39.19 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $103,350 | $49.69 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,170 | $38.55 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,020 | $37.51 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Helena, MT metro area is $59,170 a year, or $28.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $84,340 a year. The top 25% earn $84,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,470 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $52,310 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Helena, MT?
About 30 tax preparers are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.