Tax Preparer salary in Pennsylvania
Tax Preparers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,270 a year ($29.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,570 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pennsylvania ranks 10th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.33 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $66,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Median | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 75th percentile | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| Average (mean) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
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 | $5,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,552.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,356.54 |
| Weekly | $1,178.27 |
| Hourly | $29.46 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,010 | 1,150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,140 | 410 |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,550 | 70 |
| Erie, PA | $58,460 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $57,770 | 60 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $39,400 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $84,460 | $40.61 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $105,200 | $50.58 |
| Loan Officer | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| Financial Examiner | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $103,040 | $49.54 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,240 | $40.50 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Credit Counselor | $58,330 | $28.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for tax preparers in Pennsylvania is $61,270 a year, or $29.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Pennsylvania earn at least $103,570 a year. The top 25% earn $81,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $39,020 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Pennsylvania?
About 2,010 tax preparers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.