Tax Preparer salary
From 35 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 13-2082: Tax Preparers
At a glance
- Median up 26% since FY2021. From $53,227 in FY2021 to $67,250 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Tax Preparer H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 35 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Tax Preparer jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 13-2082, Tax Preparers). The median base salary is $62,400, 49% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $52,593 and $74,485.
Is your Tax Preparer offer competitive?
Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Tax Preparer jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
Enter a salary to see where it falls.
Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 0% of filings
Mid-level · 100% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | – | 0 |
| Level II · Qualified | $58,500 | 11 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Tax Preparer does
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Typical tasks
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
- Review financial records, such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
Preparation
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET occupation: Tax Preparers (13-2082.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Tax Preparers), the median annual wage was $54,920 in May 2025, with 76,480 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $62,400, 14% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,779 | $33,760 |
| 25th percentile | $52,593 | $38,910 |
| Median | $62,400 | $54,920 |
| 75th percentile | $74,485 | $76,300 |
| 90th percentile | $83,800 | $99,270 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,779 |
| 25th | $52,593 |
| 50th (median) | $62,400 |
| 75th | $74,485 |
| 90th | $83,800 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2021 | $53,227 | $41,299 | $57,574 | 14 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 1 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 1 |
| FY2024 | $70,000 | $55,000 | $78,000 | 13 |
| FY2025 | $58,000 | $38,399 | $71,508 | 15 |
| FY2026 | $67,250 | $59,210 | $74,485 | 20 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Tax Preparer make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Tax Preparer jobs is $62,400 (35 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $52,593 and $74,485.
Do H-1B Tax Preparers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($62,400) is 14% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($54,920, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.