Tax Preparer salary in Knoxville, TN
Tax Preparers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $44,940 a year ($21.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 23% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,600. There are 0.35 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $48,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| 25th percentile | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Median | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| 75th percentile | $71,500 | $34.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Average (mean) | $48,250 | $23.20 |
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 | $3,745 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.46 |
| Weekly | $864.23 |
| Hourly | $21.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,080 | 400 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,560 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,700 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,410 | 230 |
| 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 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| Loan Officer | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Credit Analyst | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Budget Analyst | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Financial Examiner | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Project Management Specialist | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $44,940 a year, or $21.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $77,270 a year. The top 25% earn $71,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,860 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $28,990 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 150 tax preparers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.