Tax Preparer salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Tax Preparers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $47,860 a year ($23.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,740 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $48,130. There are 0.53 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Median | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 75th percentile | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| Average (mean) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
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 | $3,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,994.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840.77 |
| Weekly | $920.38 |
| Hourly | $23.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $57,090 | 150 |
| Wilmington, NC | $52,220 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,940 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,930 | 80 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,290 | n/a |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,250 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,320 | 370 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $43,550 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $100,560 | $48.35 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $78,190 | $37.59 |
| Loan Officer | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $131,630 | $63.29 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $72,480 | $34.84 |
| Credit Analyst | $83,670 | $40.23 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Financial Examiner | $92,490 | $44.46 |
| Budget Analyst | $68,940 | $33.15 |
| Project Management Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,310 | $36.21 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, NC
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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $47,860 a year, or $23.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $75,740 a year. The top 25% earn $65,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,400 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $40,500 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 150 tax preparers are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.