Tax Preparer salary in Montana
Tax Preparers in Montana earn a median of $63,080 a year ($30.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $54,920. Montana ranks 4th of 48 states for tax preparers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.70 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| 25th percentile | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Median | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| 75th percentile | $82,850 | $39.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Average (mean) | $68,980 | $33.16 |
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 | $5,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,628.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,426.15 |
| Weekly | $1,213.08 |
| Hourly | $30.33 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $65,930 | 80 |
| Helena, MT | $59,170 | 30 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Loan Officer | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Credit Analyst | $74,650 | $35.89 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Project Management Specialist | $87,890 | $42.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for tax preparers in Montana is $63,080 a year, or $30.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Montana?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Montana earn at least $100,060 a year. The top 25% earn $82,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,300 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $47,470 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Montana?
About 360 tax preparers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.