Tax Preparer salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Tax Preparers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $35,410 a year ($17.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,600. There are 0.38 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $43,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Median | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| 75th percentile | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,720 | $35.92 |
| Average (mean) | $43,420 | $20.88 |
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 | $2,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,475.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,361.92 |
| Weekly | $680.96 |
| Hourly | $17.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $49,680 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,080 | 400 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,940 | 150 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,560 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,700 | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,140 | 130 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $35,650 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,600 | 40 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $30,160 | 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Loan Officer | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $91,180 | $43.84 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $100,120 | $48.13 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Credit Analyst | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Budget Analyst | $93,450 | $44.93 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $80,160 | $38.54 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $88,910 | $42.74 |
| Credit Counselor | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| Financial Examiner | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,150 | $33.24 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $35,410 a year, or $17.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $74,720 a year. The top 25% earn $46,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $29,950 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 230 tax preparers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.