Tax Preparer salary in North Carolina
Tax Preparers in North Carolina earn a median of $48,130 a year ($23.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,720 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $54,920. North Carolina ranks 26th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.55 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 25th percentile | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Median | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| 75th percentile | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,720 | $46.98 |
| Average (mean) | $57,820 | $27.80 |
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 | $4,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,005.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,851.15 |
| Weekly | $925.58 |
| Hourly | $23.14 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $57,090 | 150 |
| Wilmington, NC | $52,220 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,940 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,930 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,860 | 150 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,290 | n/a |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,250 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,320 | 370 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $43,550 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $102,390 | $49.22 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $96,880 | $46.58 |
| Loan Officer | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Credit Analyst | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Financial Examiner | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $66,700 | $32.07 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Credit Counselor | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,230 | $38.57 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for tax preparers in North Carolina is $48,130 a year, or $23.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of tax preparers in North Carolina earn at least $97,720 a year. The top 25% earn $72,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,480 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $43,820 or less.
How many tax preparers work in North Carolina?
About 2,710 tax preparers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.