Tax Preparer salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Tax Preparers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $57,770 a year ($27.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,330 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,270. There are 0.17 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $60,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| 25th percentile | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| Median | $57,770 | $27.77 |
| 75th percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,330 | $45.83 |
| Average (mean) | $60,600 | $29.14 |
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 | $4,814.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,407.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,221.92 |
| Weekly | $1,110.96 |
| Hourly | $27.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,140 | 410 |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,550 | 70 |
| Erie, PA | $58,460 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $39,400 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $81,360 | $39.12 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Loan Officer | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $112,430 | $54.06 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $90,400 | $43.46 |
| Budget Analyst | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Financial Examiner | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Credit Analyst | $78,400 | $37.69 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Credit Counselor | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Management Analyst | $79,930 | $38.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $57,770 a year, or $27.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $95,330 a year. The top 25% earn $75,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,250 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $40,040 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 60 tax preparers are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.