Tax Preparer salary in Illinois
Tax Preparers in Illinois earn a median of $54,480 a year ($26.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,150 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $54,920. Illinois ranks 18th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.21 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $54,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,030 | $15.88 |
| 25th percentile | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Median | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| 75th percentile | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Average (mean) | $54,530 | $26.22 |
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 | $4,540 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,270 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,095.38 |
| Weekly | $1,047.69 |
| Hourly | $26.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $69,210 | 380 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,280 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,670 | 1,020 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,180 | $48.65 |
| Loan Officer | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $120,130 | $57.75 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Financial Examiner | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| Credit Analyst | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Credit Counselor | $51,930 | $24.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $94,880 | $45.61 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for tax preparers in Illinois is $54,480 a year, or $26.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Illinois earn at least $76,150 a year. The top 25% earn $62,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,030 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $38,120 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Illinois?
About 1,310 tax preparers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.