Tax Preparer salary in Missouri
Tax Preparers in Missouri earn a median of $62,780 a year ($30.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,300 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $54,920. Missouri ranks 5th of 48 states for tax preparers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,400 | $15.09 |
| 25th percentile | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Median | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| 75th percentile | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Average (mean) | $72,120 | $34.67 |
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 | $5,231.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,615.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,414.62 |
| Weekly | $1,207.31 |
| Hourly | $30.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,920 | 560 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $75,990 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $69,210 | 380 |
| Springfield, MO | $56,820 | 160 |
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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Loan Officer | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $99,930 | $48.04 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,420 | $47.32 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Financial Examiner | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Credit Analyst | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Budget Analyst | $81,980 | $39.42 |
| Credit Counselor | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Project Management Specialist | $94,660 | $45.51 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for tax preparers in Missouri is $62,780 a year, or $30.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Missouri?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Missouri earn at least $124,300 a year. The top 25% earn $98,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,400 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $35,580 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Missouri?
About 1,330 tax preparers are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.