Tax Preparer salary in Madison, WI
Tax Preparers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $45,810 a year ($22.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,230 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $44,340. There are 0.33 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $50,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 25th percentile | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Median | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| 75th percentile | $54,450 | $26.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,230 | $35.69 |
| Average (mean) | $50,450 | $24.26 |
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 | $3,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,908.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,761.92 |
| Weekly | $880.96 |
| Hourly | $22.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $60,650 | 650 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $50,430 | 440 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $50,170 | 60 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $49,830 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $44,840 | 50 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $43,850 | 40 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,420 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $81,130 | $39.01 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| Loan Officer | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $126,000 | $60.58 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $95,130 | $45.74 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,340 | $41.51 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Credit Analyst | $69,130 | $33.24 |
| Financial Examiner | $88,920 | $42.75 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $100,350 | $48.25 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Credit Counselor | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Management Analyst | $97,170 | $46.72 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Madison, WI metro area is $45,810 a year, or $22.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $74,230 a year. The top 25% earn $54,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,740 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $38,460 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Madison, WI?
About 140 tax preparers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.