Tax Preparer salary in Tennessee
Tax Preparers in Tennessee earn a median of $36,600 a year ($17.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $54,920. Tennessee ranks 44th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.38 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $45,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| 25th percentile | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Median | $36,600 | $17.59 |
| 75th percentile | $59,120 | $28.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Average (mean) | $45,740 | $21.99 |
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 | $3,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,407.69 |
| Weekly | $703.85 |
| Hourly | $17.59 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,080 | 400 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,940 | 150 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,560 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,700 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,410 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,600 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Loan Officer | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $92,990 | $44.71 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $84,160 | $40.46 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Credit Analyst | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $78,840 | $37.91 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Credit Counselor | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $90,950 | $43.73 |
| Financial Examiner | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for tax preparers in Tennessee is $36,600 a year, or $17.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Tennessee earn at least $77,270 a year. The top 25% earn $59,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,770 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $29,500 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Tennessee?
About 1,260 tax preparers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.