What Tax Preparers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Tax Preparers this way: "Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables"; "Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses"; "Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum"; "Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances"; "Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Tax Preparers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 95,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 100,300 in 2035, an increase of 4,500 jobs (+4.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 9,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 17.6% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $54,920, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Tax Preparers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $69,498 in New York to $69,669 in New Jersey, a gap of $172 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $54,920 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 9,570, which is 50.5% of the 18,950 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 9,380.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($69,669) and New York ($69,498) lead the ranking, while New York ($69,498) and New Jersey ($69,669) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Tax Preparers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-2000) include Financial Risk Specialists, Personal Financial Advisors, Financial and Investment Analysts and Financial Examiners.
Frequently asked questions about Tax Preparers
What is the national median wage for Tax Preparers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $54,920. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $69,498 to $69,669.
Which state pays Tax Preparers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $69,669. New York is next at $69,498.
What is the job outlook for Tax Preparers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 9,400 openings a year.
What education do Tax Preparers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.