Some tax preparers work much longer hours during the busy tax season. Some may work only during tax season. Some tax preparers work on commission rather than for a wage. All of these factors affect how much tax preparers earn.
Wages vary depending on the education and experience of the tax preparer. Wages also vary by employer and area of the country.
Full-time tax preparers who work year round usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.
Tax preparers (SOC 13-2082)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $17.29 | $22.12 | $30.28 |
| Yearly | $35,954 | $46,010 | $62,989 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $15.09 | $17.28 | $21.47 |
| Yearly | $31,403 | $35,943 | $44,660 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $14.29 | $18.08 | $21.95 |
| Yearly | $29,729 | $37,602 | $45,653 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $17.76 | $22.95 | $32.05 |
| Yearly | $36,929 | $47,733 | $66,681 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $17.29 | $23.66 | $30.99 |
| Yearly | $35,954 | $49,206 | $64,468 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $17.29 | $21.74 | $24.00 |
| Yearly | $35,954 | $45,216 | $49,908 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $25.44 | $31.10 | $39.02 |
| Yearly | $52,902 | $64,680 | $81,167 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $14.89 | $20.73 | $21.47 |
| Yearly | $30,973 | $43,132 | $44,657 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $15.07 | $21.04 | $29.64 |
| Yearly | $31,356 | $43,754 | $61,654 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $15.30 | $17.59 | $22.01 |
| Yearly | $31,829 | $36,589 | $45,772 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $14.90 | $17.95 | $22.49 |
| Yearly | $30,983 | $37,340 | $46,783 | |
| United States | Hourly | $16.52 | $23.20 | $35.82 |
| Yearly | $34,350 | $48,250 | $74,500 | |