Tax Preparers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Median pay: $54,920/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +4.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 10,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
• Explain federal and state tax laws to individuals and companies.
What's the median pay for Tax Preparers?
The median pay for Tax Preparers is $54,920 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Tax Preparers?
Employment for Tax Preparers is projected to change +4.5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Tax Preparers?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Tax Preparers?
About 10,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.