Tax Preparer salary in Lake Charles, LA
Tax Preparers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $36,480 a year ($17.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,650 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 6% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $38,740. There are 0.48 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,420 | $10.78 |
| 25th percentile | $27,630 | $13.28 |
| Median | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 75th percentile | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Average (mean) | $41,390 | $19.90 |
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 | $3,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.08 |
| Weekly | $701.54 |
| Hourly | $17.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $49,500 | 60 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Loan Officer | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $75,560 | $36.33 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Project Management Specialist | $92,770 | $44.60 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Cost Estimator | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $80,550 | $38.72 |
| Logistician | $92,170 | $44.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $36,480 a year, or $17.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $65,650 a year. The top 25% earn $52,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,420 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $27,630 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 50 tax preparers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.