Tax Preparer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Tax Preparers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $47,860 a year ($23.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $54,920. Pay here is 5% higher than the Washington statewide median of $45,370. There are 0.37 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $51,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 25th percentile | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Median | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 75th percentile | $57,100 | $27.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Average (mean) | $51,860 | $24.93 |
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 | $3,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,994.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840.77 |
| Weekly | $920.38 |
| Hourly | $23.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,350 | 870 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,250 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $44,250 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $40,160 | 120 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $99,370 | $47.78 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| Loan Officer | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $104,090 | $50.04 |
| Credit Analyst | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $98,020 | $47.13 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $134,330 | $64.58 |
| Credit Counselor | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Financial Examiner | $122,230 | $58.76 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,920 | $49.00 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for tax preparers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $47,860 a year, or $23.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of tax preparers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $71,480 a year. The top 25% earn $57,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,330 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $45,370 or less.
How many tax preparers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 780 tax preparers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.