Tax Preparer salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Tax Preparers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $69,210 a year ($33.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,230 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 10% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $62,780. There are 0.28 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $74,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| 25th percentile | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Median | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| 75th percentile | $101,810 | $48.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,230 | $59.25 |
| Average (mean) | $74,870 | $36.00 |
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 | $5,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,661.92 |
| Weekly | $1,330.96 |
| Hourly | $33.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,920 | 560 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $75,990 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,280 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $56,820 | 160 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,670 | 1,020 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Loan Officer | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Credit Analyst | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| Budget Analyst | $96,930 | $46.60 |
| Credit Counselor | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,510 | $48.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for tax preparers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $69,210 a year, or $33.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $123,230 a year. The top 25% earn $101,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,500 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $35,830 or less.
How many tax preparers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 380 tax preparers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.