How much does a tax preparer make in Chicago?
$48,670a year
Median yearly pay for tax preparers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $23.40 an hour or $4,056 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.40
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 102 of 186
- Jobs in the area
- 1,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,750Median: $48,670Highest 10%: $83,980
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,750 | $16.71 | |
| 25th | $44,500 | $21.39 | |
| Median | $48,670 | $23.40 | |
| 75th | $63,180 | $30.38 | |
| 90th | $83,980 | $40.38 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for tax preparers.
| St. Louis, MO | $69,210 |
| Davenport, IA | $60,280 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Personal Financial Advisor | $113,200 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $105,400 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,300 |
| Management Analyst | $105,100 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,600 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $101,800 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $99,840 |
| Financial Examiner | $98,470 |
| Tax Examiner and Collector | $93,590 |
| Credit Analyst | $92,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $23.40 ($48,670 a year).
Do tax preparers make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $48,670 against $54,920 nationally, 11% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $54,480, so Chicago pays 11% less.
Where does Chicago rank for tax preparer pay?
102 of 186 metro areas with data.
How much does a tax preparer make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,750 or less a year; the top 10% make $83,980 or more.
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.