Tax Preparer salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Tax Preparers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $39,400 a year ($18.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,990 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 36% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,270. There are 0.34 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $48,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Median | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| 75th percentile | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Average (mean) | $48,190 | $23.17 |
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 | $3,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,641.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,515.38 |
| Weekly | $757.69 |
| Hourly | $18.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,400 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 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $57,770 | 60 |
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $70,480 | $33.88 |
| Loan Officer | $74,430 | $35.78 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,200 | $49.61 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $76,340 | $36.70 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Credit Counselor | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Financial Examiner | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| Budget Analyst | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Project Management Specialist | $91,820 | $44.15 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $39,400 a year, or $18.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $87,990 a year. The top 25% earn $60,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $37,970 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 90 tax preparers are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.