Tax Preparer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Tax Preparers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $50,430 a year ($24.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,130 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 14% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $44,340. There are 0.54 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Median | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| 75th percentile | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Average (mean) | $53,320 | $25.63 |
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 | $4,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,101.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,939.62 |
| Weekly | $969.81 |
| Hourly | $24.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $60,650 | 650 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $50,170 | 60 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $49,830 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $45,810 | 140 |
| Green Bay, WI | $44,840 | 50 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $43,850 | 40 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,420 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $125,810 | $60.48 |
| Loan Officer | $83,660 | $40.22 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $106,570 | $51.24 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Credit Analyst | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| Credit Counselor | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Financial Examiner | $90,770 | $43.64 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $100,870 | $48.49 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,350 | $48.24 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $50,430 a year, or $24.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $73,130 a year. The top 25% earn $59,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,680 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $37,570 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 440 tax preparers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.