Tax Preparer salary in Kentucky
Tax Preparers in Kentucky earn a median of $36,620 a year ($17.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,690 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $54,920. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.54 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,750 | $10.46 |
| 25th percentile | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Median | $36,620 | $17.60 |
| 75th percentile | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,690 | $38.79 |
| Average (mean) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
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 | $3,051.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.46 |
| Weekly | $704.23 |
| Hourly | $17.60 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $57,220 | 280 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,730 | n/a |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $38,510 | 240 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,010 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35,100 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,600 | 40 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,270 | $36.19 |
| Loan Officer | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $67,150 | $32.29 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Financial Examiner | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Budget Analyst | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $74,640 | $35.89 |
| Credit Analyst | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Credit Counselor | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for tax preparers in Kentucky is $36,620 a year, or $17.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Kentucky earn at least $80,690 a year. The top 25% earn $61,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,750 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $27,900 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Kentucky?
About 1,080 tax preparers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.