Tax Preparer salary in Washington
Tax Preparers in Washington earn a median of $45,370 a year ($21.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $54,920. Washington ranks 33rd 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 $49,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 25th percentile | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Median | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| 75th percentile | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Average (mean) | $49,380 | $23.74 |
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 | $3,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,890.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,745 |
| Weekly | $872.50 |
| Hourly | $21.81 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,350 | 870 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,860 | 780 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,250 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $44,250 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $40,160 | 120 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $107,210 | $51.54 |
| Loan Officer | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $114,050 | $54.83 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Budget Analyst | $96,640 | $46.46 |
| Credit Analyst | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $83,710 | $40.25 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $123,150 | $59.21 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $72,850 | $35.03 |
| Credit Counselor | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Financial Examiner | $113,700 | $54.66 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $100,360 | $48.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for tax preparers in Washington is $45,370 a year, or $21.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Washington?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Washington earn at least $71,480 a year. The top 25% earn $48,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,260 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $41,590 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Washington?
About 1,360 tax preparers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.