Tax Preparer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Tax Preparers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $47,290 a year ($22.73 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $35,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,510 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $48,130. The average (mean) salary is $55,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 25th percentile | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Median | $47,290 | $22.73 |
| 75th percentile | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| Average (mean) | $55,450 | $26.66 |
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 | $3,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,970.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,818.85 |
| Weekly | $909.42 |
| Hourly | $22.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tax Preparer salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $104,780 | $50.37 |
| Loan Officer | $77,330 | $37.18 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $99,200 | $47.69 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Budget Analyst | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Financial Examiner | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,630 | $38.77 |
| Credit Counselor | $42,190 | $20.29 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,390 | $38.65 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $47,290 a year, or $22.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $77,510 a year. The top 25% earn $61,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,480 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $43,820 or less.