Tax Preparer salary in South Dakota
Tax Preparers in South Dakota earn a median of $52,530 a year ($25.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,480 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $54,920. South Dakota ranks 20th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.62 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| 25th percentile | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Median | $52,530 | $25.26 |
| 75th percentile | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| Average (mean) | $55,710 | $26.78 |
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 | $4,377.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,188.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,020.38 |
| Weekly | $1,010.19 |
| Hourly | $25.26 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $61,100 | 50 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Loan Officer | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $128,720 | $61.89 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Credit Analyst | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $83,130 | $39.97 |
| Financial Examiner | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Credit Counselor | $48,890 | $23.50 |
| Management Analyst | $83,620 | $40.20 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for tax preparers in South Dakota is $52,530 a year, or $25.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of tax preparers in South Dakota earn at least $77,480 a year. The top 25% earn $63,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,080 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $44,100 or less.
How many tax preparers work in South Dakota?
About 280 tax preparers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.