Tax Preparer salary in Virginia
Tax Preparers in Virginia earn a median of $58,520 a year ($28.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,700 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $54,920. Virginia ranks 13th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.48 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,330 | $17.46 |
| 25th percentile | $40,960 | $19.69 |
| Median | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| 75th percentile | $70,480 | $33.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Average (mean) | $61,160 | $29.40 |
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 | $4,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,438.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,250.77 |
| Weekly | $1,125.38 |
| Hourly | $28.13 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $62,160 | 310 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,890 | 1,150 |
| Roanoke, VA | $53,630 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,320 | 370 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $42,700 | 50 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $93,290 | $44.85 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $105,490 | $50.72 |
| Loan Officer | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Budget Analyst | $105,470 | $50.71 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,870 | $39.36 |
| Credit Analyst | $102,430 | $49.25 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $126,510 | $60.82 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Financial Examiner | $104,060 | $50.03 |
| Credit Counselor | $51,550 | $24.78 |
| Management Analyst | $117,580 | $56.53 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for tax preparers in Virginia is $58,520 a year, or $28.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Virginia earn at least $98,700 a year. The top 25% earn $70,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,330 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $40,960 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Virginia?
About 1,960 tax preparers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.