How much does a tax preparer make in Santa Cruz?
$71,800a year
Median yearly pay for tax preparers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $34.52 an hour or $5,983 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.52
- Vs. national median
- +31%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 186
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,530Median: $71,800Highest 10%: $93,730
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,530 | $20.93 | |
| 25th | $44,900 | $21.59 | |
| Median | $71,800 | $34.52 | |
| 75th | $75,340 | $36.22 | |
| 90th | $93,730 | $45.06 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for tax preparers.
| San Francisco, CA | $84,240 |
| San Jose, CA | $81,180 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Personal Financial Advisor | $122,200 |
| Project Management Specialist | $106,800 |
| Management Analyst | $105,500 |
| Logistician | $104,300 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $99,820 |
| Claims Adjuster | $95,730 |
| Compliance Officer | $86,510 |
| Accountant and Auditor | $84,920 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $84,690 |
| Business Operations Specialist | $84,010 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $34.52 ($71,800 a year).
Do tax preparers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $71,800 against $54,920 nationally, 31% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $70,030, so Santa Cruz pays 3% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for tax preparer pay?
5 of 186 metro areas with data.
How much does a tax preparer make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $93,730 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.