Tax Preparer salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Tax Preparers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $46,300 a year ($22.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,100 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 1% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $45,710. There are 0.47 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,340 | $12.66 |
| 25th percentile | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| Median | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| 75th percentile | $87,100 | $41.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,100 | $41.88 |
| Average (mean) | $57,300 | $27.55 |
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 | $3,858.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,929.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,780.77 |
| Weekly | $890.38 |
| Hourly | $22.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $57,220 | 280 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,730 | n/a |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,670 | 1,020 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $45,930 | 140 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $45,780 | 700 |
| Evansville, IN | $44,200 | 80 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $39,990 | 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Loan Officer | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $84,540 | $40.64 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $81,400 | $39.14 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $95,130 | $45.74 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Management Analyst | $95,600 | $45.96 |
| Project Management Specialist | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Logistician | $83,320 | $40.06 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $46,300 a year, or $22.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $87,100 a year. The top 25% earn $87,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,340 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $37,510 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 50 tax preparers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.