How much does a tax preparer make in California?
$70,030a year
Median yearly pay for tax preparers in California. That is $33.67 an hour or $5,836 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.67
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 48
- Jobs in the state
- 10,270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,910Median: $70,030Highest 10%: $104,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,910 | $18.71 | |
| 25th | $47,420 | $22.80 | |
| Median | $70,030 | $33.67 | |
| 75th | $84,890 | $40.81 | |
| 90th | $104,000 | $50.00 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $84,240 |
| San Jose, CA | $81,180 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $71,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $70,170 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $65,930 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $65,120 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,630 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,060 |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,050 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 |
| Stockton, CA | $61,460 |
| Redding, CA | $61,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $60,480 |
| Sacramento, CA | $60,430 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $59,490 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,970 |
| Chico, CA | $41,600 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for tax preparers.
| 1. New York | $71,850 |
| 2. California | $70,030 |
| 3. Utah | $66,720 |
| 4. Montana | $63,080 |
| 5. Missouri | $62,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $33.67 ($70,030 a year).
Do tax preparers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $70,030 against $54,920 nationally, 28% more.
Where does California rank for tax preparer pay?
California ranks 2 of 48 states.
Which city in California pays tax preparers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $84,240 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.