Tax Preparers pay in California
In California, the median pay for tax preparers is $33.67 an hour ($70,030 a year). About 10,270 people work in this job there.
That is 28% higher than the U.S. median ($54,920). California ranks 2nd of 48 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for tax preparers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.71 | $38,910 |
| 25% of workers | $22.80 | $47,420 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.67 | $70,030 |
| 75% of workers | $40.81 | $84,890 |
| 90% of workers | $50.00 | $104,000 |
Tax Preparers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $84,240 | 1,410 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $81,180 | 760 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $71,800 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $70,170 | 690 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $65,930 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $65,120 | 3,250 |
| Modesto | $64,630 | 170 |
| Salinas | $63,060 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $62,050 | 260 |
| Vallejo | $61,930 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $61,460 | 110 |
| Redding | $61,200 | 60 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $60,480 | 0 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $60,430 | 740 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $59,490 | 0 |
| Fresno | $58,970 | 250 |
| Chico | $41,600 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for tax preparers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 9,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,050 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $109,110 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $130,330 |
| Loan Officers | $81,770 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,810 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $74,110 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $95,320 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $88,900 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.