Tax Preparer salary in Rapid City, SD
Tax Preparers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $61,100 a year ($29.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,750 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 16% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $52,530. There are 0.69 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,460, close to the median.
Pay range for tax preparers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| 25th percentile | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Median | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| 75th percentile | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Average (mean) | $57,460 | $27.63 |
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 | $5,091.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,545.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,350 |
| Weekly | $1,175 |
| Hourly | $29.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $52,530 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,650 | 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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| Loan Officer | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $69,690 | $33.51 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,760 | $49.89 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Budget Analyst | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Management Analyst | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $72,210 | $34.72 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,400 | $36.73 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $61,100 a year, or $29.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $63,750 a year. The top 25% earn $61,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,880 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $49,410 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 50 tax preparers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.