Tax Preparers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Tax Preparers fall under the Business and Financial Operations category in the U.S. occupational classification. Tax Preparers earn a median salary of $50,560 per year, ranking in the top 61% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do tax preparers earn?

The median annual wage for tax preparers is $50,560. That puts tax preparers at #494 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is tax preparers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for tax preparers is +4.5%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 90K positions in 2024 to 94K in 2034, a net change of 4K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do tax preparers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working tax preparers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Answer questions and provide future tax planning to clients.
2. 2.Consult tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
3. 3.Check data input or verify totals on forms prepared by others to detect errors in arithmetic, data entry, or procedures.
4. 4.Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
5. 5.Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
6. 6.Schedule appointments with clients.
7. 7.Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
8. 8.Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.

Top skills for tax preparers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become tax preparer?

The standard path into tax preparers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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• Project Management Specialists
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Common questions parents ask about tax preparers