Tax Preparer salary in Iowa
Tax Preparers in Iowa earn a median of $53,660 a year ($25.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,700 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $54,920. Iowa ranks 19th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.50 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,520 | $16.12 |
| 25th percentile | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Median | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| 75th percentile | $73,660 | $35.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
| Average (mean) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
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 | $4,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,235.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,063.85 |
| Weekly | $1,031.92 |
| Hourly | $25.80 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,560 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,330 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,280 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,820 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,650 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $41,600 | 170 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Loan Officer | $83,670 | $40.23 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $80,160 | $38.54 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Credit Analyst | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Credit Counselor | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $66,860 | $32.14 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,470 | $38.69 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for tax preparers in Iowa is $53,660 a year, or $25.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Iowa earn at least $84,700 a year. The top 25% earn $73,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,520 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $38,970 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Iowa?
About 780 tax preparers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.