Tax Preparer salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Tax Preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,940 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $48,130. There are 0.51 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| 25th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $66,270 | $31.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Average (mean) | $53,200 | $25.58 |
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 | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $57,090 | 150 |
| Wilmington, NC | $52,220 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,930 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,860 | 150 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,290 | n/a |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,250 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,320 | 370 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $43,550 | 30 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,490 | $37.25 |
| Loan Officer | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $98,090 | $47.16 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,190 | $39.52 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,230 | $33.29 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,450 | $36.28 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Management Analyst | $76,990 | $37.02 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $76,940 a year. The top 25% earn $66,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,550 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $44,960 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 80 tax preparers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.