Tax Preparer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Tax Preparers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $56,160 a year ($27.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,980 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 19% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $47,020. There are 0.48 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,150, close to the median.
Pay range for tax preparers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| 25th percentile | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Median | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| 75th percentile | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,980 | $33.65 |
| Average (mean) | $56,150 | $27.00 |
Half of tax preparers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,160 |
| Weekly | $1,080 |
| Hourly | $27.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tax Preparer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,010 | 1,150 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,890 | 1,150 |
Highest-paying states for tax preparers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 |
| California | $70,030 |
| Utah | $66,720 |
| Montana | $63,080 |
| Missouri | $62,780 |
| Colorado | $62,620 |
| Alaska | $62,360 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 |
| Oregon | $61,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 |
See Tax Preparer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,880 | $47.54 |
| Loan Officer | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Budget Analyst | $96,150 | $46.23 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $93,510 | $44.96 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Credit Analyst | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $119,720 | $57.56 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Financial Examiner | $103,460 | $49.74 |
| Credit Counselor | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,060 | $47.14 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $56,160 a year, or $27.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $69,980 a year. The top 25% earn $61,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,700 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $43,760 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 660 tax preparers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.