Tax Preparer salary in South Carolina
Tax Preparers in South Carolina earn a median of $39,220 a year ($18.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,880 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $54,920. South Carolina ranks 40th of 48 states for tax preparers pay. There are 0.59 tax preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tax preparers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,040 | $13.48 |
| 25th percentile | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| Median | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 75th percentile | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,880 | $38.88 |
| Average (mean) | $51,220 | $24.63 |
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 | $3,268.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,634.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,508.46 |
| Weekly | $754.23 |
| Hourly | $18.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tax Preparer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $63,600 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,460 | 310 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $62,350 | 210 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,350 | 850 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,920 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,390 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,150 | 150 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $30,930 | 110 |
| Sumter, SC | $30,410 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Loan Officer | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $93,670 | $45.03 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $96,330 | $46.31 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Credit Analyst | $77,530 | $37.28 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Financial Examiner | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Credit Counselor | $53,190 | $25.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,040 | $45.69 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for tax preparers in South Carolina is $39,220 a year, or $18.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tax preparers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of tax preparers in South Carolina earn at least $80,880 a year. The top 25% earn $71,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for tax preparers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,040 a year, and a quarter of tax preparers earn $30,930 or less.
How many tax preparers work in South Carolina?
About 1,360 tax preparers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.