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How much tax preparers earn in each state

Tax season is upon us, and while it’s certainly a stressful time for all Americans, tax preparers are in the busiest part of their year.

It’s a difficult job requiring top-notch organization, attention to detail, and familiarity with computer programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 83,000 tax preparers nationwide earn a median salary of $46,290.

Median wages vary significantly by state, so if you’re considering pursuing tax preparation as a career, you should also consider where you want to live.

Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank tax preparer earnings in every state. Delaware and Rhode Island were excluded from the analysis, as data was unavailable. Tax preparers prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses; the bureau’s job categorization excludes accountants and auditors.

To qualify for a career as a tax preparer, you’ll typically need an associate degree or training at a vocational school, though you might be able to score a role with just a high school diploma. There are also a variety of certifications available that you can use to help boost your business—and potentially your income. These include Certified Income Tax Preparer and Enrolled Agent, among others.

If you’re good with numbers, reliably keep track of important information, and are comfortable on a computer, a career as a tax preparer could be a good choice for you.

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#48. Alabama

– Total tax preparer jobs: 860 (4.46 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $13.61
– Median annual wage: $28,320

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#47. Mississippi

– Total tax preparer jobs: 720 (6.53 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $13.90
– Median annual wage: $28,900

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#46. West Virginia

– Total tax preparer jobs: 480 (7.34 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $13.95
– Median annual wage: $29,010

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#45. Kentucky

– Total tax preparer jobs: 770 (4.16 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $13.95
– Median annual wage: $29,020

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#44. Tennessee

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1730 (5.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.26
– Median annual wage: $29,670

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#42. Arkansas (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1100 (9.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.52
– Median annual wage: $30,190

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#42. Missouri (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1260 (4.61 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.51
– Median annual wage: $30,190

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#41. Louisiana

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1040 (5.83 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.55
– Median annual wage: $30,260

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#40. Georgia

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2660 (6.07 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.64
– Median annual wage: $30,450

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#38. Iowa (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 650 (4.35 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.98
– Median annual wage: $31,150

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#38. Ohio (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2200 (4.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $14.98
– Median annual wage: $31,150

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#37. New Mexico

– Total tax preparer jobs: 400 (5.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $16.69
– Median annual wage: $34,720

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#36. Oklahoma

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1130 (7.23 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $17.02
– Median annual wage: $35,400

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#35. South Carolina

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1900 (9.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $17.31
– Median annual wage: $36,000

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#34. Florida

– Total tax preparer jobs: 6880 (8 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $17.51
– Median annual wage: $36,410

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#33. Nebraska

– Total tax preparer jobs: 470 (4.9 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $17.79
– Median annual wage: $37,000

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#32. Kansas

– Total tax preparer jobs: 780 (5.79 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $17.93
– Median annual wage: $37,290

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#31. North Carolina

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1950 (4.41 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $18.14
– Median annual wage: $37,720

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#30. Hawaii

– Total tax preparer jobs: Not available
– Median hourly wage: $18.27
– Median annual wage: $37,990

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#29. Connecticut

– Total tax preparer jobs: 840 (5.31 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $18.31
– Median annual wage: $38,080

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#28. Virginia

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2060 (5.49 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $18.43
– Median annual wage: $38,330

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#27. South Dakota

– Total tax preparer jobs: 340 (8.13 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $18.78
– Median annual wage: $39,070

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#26. Pennsylvania

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2960 (5.31 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $20.48
– Median annual wage: $42,600

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#25. Maryland

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1560 (6.11 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $20.56
– Median annual wage: $42,760

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#24. Indiana

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1740 (5.83 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.40
– Median annual wage: $46,600

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#23. Wisconsin

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1590 (5.76 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.42
– Median annual wage: $46,640

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#22. Montana

– Total tax preparer jobs: 310 (6.69 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.48
– Median annual wage: $46,770

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#20. Illinois (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2490 (4.43 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.55
– Median annual wage: $46,910

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#20. Vermont (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 130 (4.51 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.55
– Median annual wage: $46,910

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#19. Maine

– Total tax preparer jobs: 310 (5.29 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.62
– Median annual wage: $47,040

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#18. Oregon

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1420 (7.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.69
– Median annual wage: $47,180

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#17. Arizona

– Total tax preparer jobs: 2140 (7.43 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.72
– Median annual wage: $47,270

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#15. Idaho (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 390 (5.2 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.75
– Median annual wage: $47,320

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#15. Nevada (tie)

– Total tax preparer jobs: 600 (4.67 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.75
– Median annual wage: $47,320

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#14. New York

– Total tax preparer jobs: 6610 (7.62 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $22.84
– Median annual wage: $47,510

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#13. North Dakota

– Total tax preparer jobs: 150 (3.78 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $23.06
– Median annual wage: $47,960

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#12. Utah

– Total tax preparer jobs: 750 (4.84 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $23.16
– Median annual wage: $48,170

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#11. Michigan

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1500 (3.7 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $23.18
– Median annual wage: $48,210

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#10. Washington

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1900 (5.93 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $23.35
– Median annual wage: $48,560

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#9. New Hampshire

– Total tax preparer jobs: 570 (9.04 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $23.35
– Median annual wage: $48,570

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#8. California

– Total tax preparer jobs: 8310 (5.03 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $24.71
– Median annual wage: $51,400

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#7. New Jersey

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1620 (4.21 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $25.89
– Median annual wage: $53,850

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#6. Minnesota

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1360 (4.96 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $26.78
– Median annual wage: $55,700

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#5. Colorado

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1780 (6.8 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $27.17
– Median annual wage: $56,510

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#4. Texas

– Total tax preparer jobs: 9980 (8.16 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $28.57
– Median annual wage: $59,430

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#3. Wyoming

– Total tax preparer jobs: 60 (2.3 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $28.94
– Median annual wage: $60,190

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#2. Massachusetts

– Total tax preparer jobs: 1730 (5.1 per 10,000 jobs statewide)
– Median hourly wage: $29.25
– Median annual wage: $60,840

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#1. Alaska

– Total tax preparer jobs: Not available
– Median hourly wage: $38.20
– Median annual wage: $79,450