Tax Preparer salary in Tucson, AZ
Tax Preparers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $46,960 a year ($22.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,490 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 5% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $44,770. 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 $59,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Median | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 75th percentile | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,490 | $48.80 |
| Average (mean) | $59,500 | $28.60 |
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 | $3,913.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,956.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,806.15 |
| Weekly | $903.08 |
| Hourly | $22.58 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $44,770 | 1,580 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $44,250 | n/a |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $37,680 | 50 |
| Yuma, AZ | $37,260 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Loan Officer | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Budget Analyst | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Credit Counselor | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,560 | $36.33 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Credit Analyst | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $70,480 | $33.88 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| Financial Examiner | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $83,810 | $40.29 |
| Project Management Specialist | $91,500 | $43.99 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $46,960 a year, or $22.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $101,490 a year. The top 25% earn $76,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,980 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $36,970 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 270 tax preparers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.