Tax Preparer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Tax Preparers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $62,350 a year ($29.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,880 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 59% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $39,220. There are 0.52 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,500, close to the median.
Pay range for tax preparers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Median | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| 75th percentile | $80,880 | $38.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,880 | $38.88 |
| Average (mean) | $60,500 | $29.09 |
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 | $5,195.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,597.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,398.08 |
| Weekly | $1,199.04 |
| Hourly | $29.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $63,600 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,460 | 310 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,920 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,390 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,150 | 150 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,930 | 110 |
| Sumter, SC | $30,410 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Loan Officer | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $93,960 | $45.17 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Financial Examiner | $158,960 | $76.43 |
| Credit Analyst | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Credit Counselor | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $125,700 | $60.43 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,110 | $38.03 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $62,350 a year, or $29.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $80,880 a year. The top 25% earn $80,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,630 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $37,800 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 210 tax preparers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.