Tax Preparer salary in New Jersey
Tax Preparers in New Jersey earn a median of $43,420 a year ($20.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,640 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $54,920. New Jersey ranks 36th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.75 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| 25th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Median | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| 75th percentile | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Average (mean) | $52,870 | $25.42 |
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 | $3,618.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,809.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,670 |
| Weekly | $835 |
| Hourly | $20.88 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $71,300 | 8,100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,010 | 1,150 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $36,300 | 90 |
| Vineland, NJ | $34,780 | 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 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $100,830 | $48.48 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $108,610 | $52.22 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $158,570 | $76.24 |
| Loan Officer | $92,920 | $44.67 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $96,220 | $46.26 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $129,220 | $62.12 |
| Financial Examiner | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| Credit Analyst | $100,940 | $48.53 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Budget Analyst | $96,250 | $46.28 |
| Credit Counselor | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $91,060 | $43.78 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for tax preparers in New Jersey is $43,420 a year, or $20.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of tax preparers in New Jersey earn at least $77,640 a year. The top 25% earn $63,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,250 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $37,790 or less.
How many tax preparers work in New Jersey?
About 3,220 tax preparers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.