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Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salary in the United States

How much does an Accountant (Tax Preparer) make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant (Tax Preparer) in the United States is $69,051 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Accountant (Tax Preparer)'s salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,845
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,882 to $76,272
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,176
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Accountant (Tax Preparer) Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salaries

An Accountant (Tax Preparer)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accountant (Tax Preparer)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,547
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,911
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,330
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $108,783
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,791
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Accountant (Tax Preparer) less than 1 year $67,547
Tax Accountant II 1-2 years $78,911
Tax Accountant III 2-4 years $89,330
Tax Accountant IV 5-8 years $108,783
Tax Accountant V over 8 years $165,791

How Do Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Accountant (Tax Preparer)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $76,453.
  • California: $76,163.
  • Massachusetts: $75,148.

Top Paying Cities for Accountant (Tax Preparer)

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,094
  • San Francisco: $86,141
  • Oakland: $84,325

Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accountant (Tax Preparer) roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Accountant (Tax Preparer) positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accountant (Tax Preparer) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accountant (Tax Preparer)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $82,861 $40.0 20%
Internet $82,861 $40.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $82,861 $40.0 20%
Software & Networking $82,861 $40.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $79,409 $38.0 15%

How Education impacts an Accountant (Tax Preparer)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accountant (Tax Preparer) professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Accountant (Tax Preparer) with a Bachelor's is between $62,303 and $65,846.

Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accountant (Tax Preparer)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.8%
High School 4.4%
Associate's Degree 6.2%
Bachelor's Degree 52%
Master's Degree or MBA 34.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 2.1%
View as Graph

Accountant (Tax Preparer) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accountant (Tax Preparer)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$63,882
Average $69,051/year
$76,272
$5,324
Average $5,754/month
$6,356
$1,229
Average $1,328/week
$1,467
$31
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,272 $6,356 $1,467 $37
Average $69,051 $5,754 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $63,882 $5,324 $1,229 $31

Most common benefits for Accountant (Tax Preparer)

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Accountant (Tax Preparer)

Here are companies hiring for Accountant (Tax Preparer) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Accountant (Tax Preparer) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accountant (Tax Preparer) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

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    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

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  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

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FAQ about Accountant (Tax Preparer)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accountant (Tax Preparer)?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Accountant (Tax Preparer) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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