Tax Preparer salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Tax Preparers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $60,040 a year ($28.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,290 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 16% lower than the New York statewide median of $71,850. There are 0.61 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Median | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| 75th percentile | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,290 | $49.18 |
| Average (mean) | $65,310 | $31.40 |
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 | $5,003.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,501.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,309.23 |
| Weekly | $1,154.62 |
| Hourly | $28.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $71,300 | 8,100 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,290 | 310 |
| Syracuse, NY | $61,290 | 100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $60,210 | 180 |
| Rochester, NY | $60,180 | 290 |
| Binghamton, NY | $54,880 | 40 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $82,120 | $39.48 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $96,490 | $46.39 |
| Loan Officer | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,650 | $49.83 |
| Financial Examiner | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $96,980 | $46.62 |
| Credit Analyst | $99,640 | $47.91 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| Credit Counselor | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $95,740 | $46.03 |
| Budget Analyst | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,180 | $48.64 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $60,040 a year, or $28.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $102,290 a year. The top 25% earn $80,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,460 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $44,690 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 320 tax preparers are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.