Tax Preparer salary in Wisconsin
Tax Preparers in Wisconsin earn a median of $44,340 a year ($21.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,130 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $54,920. Wisconsin ranks 35th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.53 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| 25th percentile | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Median | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| 75th percentile | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Average (mean) | $49,300 | $23.70 |
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 | $3,695 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,847.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,705.38 |
| Weekly | $852.69 |
| Hourly | $21.32 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $60,650 | 650 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $50,430 | 440 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $50,170 | 60 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $49,830 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $45,810 | 140 |
| Green Bay, WI | $44,840 | 50 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $43,850 | 40 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,420 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $95,570 | $45.95 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Loan Officer | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $97,370 | $46.81 |
| Credit Analyst | $68,690 | $33.02 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,180 | $39.51 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $68,660 | $33.01 |
| Credit Counselor | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Financial Examiner | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,580 | $46.91 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for tax preparers in Wisconsin is $44,340 a year, or $21.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of tax preparers in Wisconsin earn at least $73,130 a year. The top 25% earn $55,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,920 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $36,260 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Wisconsin?
About 1,550 tax preparers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.