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Business & Finance

Tax Preparers

Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

Median salary (BLS)

$54,920

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$34k – $99k

Job outlook

+5% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $112,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Tax Preparers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$8,500–$25,000

Time to qualify

2.5 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    Industry certification (optional for many roles)

    Certification

    Role-dependent — e.g. CPA, Series 7/65, PMP, SHRM. Not always required, but often expected for advancement.

    $500–$3,000 · 6 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Tax Preparers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Tax Preparers

    Entry / Junior

    $33,760

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Tax Preparers

    Established

    $54,920

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Tax Preparers

    Senior

    $77,095

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
  • •Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
  • •Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
  • •Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
  • •Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.