💼 Business & Finance ↑ 4% growth · Average

Tax Preparer / Enrolled Agent

Tax preparers help individuals and businesses file accurate tax returns and minimize their tax burden — a service that's needed every year without fail. Enrolled Agents (EAs) are federally licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS, commanding higher fees and year-round client work.

$47,970 Median Salary
133K US Jobs
1 month–4 years Training
$200–$30,000 Typical Cost
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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$30,000
Median
$47,970
Experienced
$75,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

4%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
133K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
IRS PTIN + Enrolled Agent
Required Credential
IRS PTIN + Enrolled Agent (EA) or CPA

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Tax Preparation Certificate or Accounting Degree
Program Length
1 month–4 years
Typical Tuition
$200–$30,000
Work Setting
Tax offices (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt), CPA firms, self-employed
🏆 Credential Required: IRS PTIN + Enrolled Agent (EA) or CPA

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Tax Preparer / Enrolled Agent involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Tax offices (H&R Block environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Tax Preparer / Enrolled Agent by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC