Tax Preparer salary in Lancaster, PA
Tax Preparers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $59,550 a year ($28.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,270. There are 0.27 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $61,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| 25th percentile | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| Median | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| 75th percentile | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Average (mean) | $61,510 | $29.57 |
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 | $4,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.38 |
| Weekly | $1,145.19 |
| Hourly | $28.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,010 | 1,150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,140 | 410 |
| Erie, PA | $58,460 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $57,770 | 60 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $39,400 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| Loan Officer | $74,450 | $35.80 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| Credit Analyst | $78,260 | $37.62 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $75,620 | $36.35 |
| Credit Counselor | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Financial Examiner | $82,300 | $39.57 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,790 | $31.15 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $59,550 a year, or $28.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $95,990 a year. The top 25% earn $79,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,150 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $43,580 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Lancaster, PA?
About 70 tax preparers are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.