Tax Preparer salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Tax Preparers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $38,510 a year ($18.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,390 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 5% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $36,620. There are 0.85 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| 25th percentile | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Median | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,390 | $44.90 |
| Average (mean) | $51,390 | $24.71 |
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 | $3,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.15 |
| Weekly | $740.58 |
| Hourly | $18.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,010 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35,100 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,600 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,780 | $37.40 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Loan Officer | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| Financial Examiner | $89,730 | $43.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Credit Counselor | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $78,820 | $37.90 |
| Credit Analyst | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Project Management Specialist | $84,520 | $40.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,280 | $31.38 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $38,510 a year, or $18.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $93,390 a year. The top 25% earn $68,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,510 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $34,690 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 240 tax preparers are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.