Tax Preparer Salary in Boston, MA
Tax Preparers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $59,630 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,331 take-home, or $3,944 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,976
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,697
- Medicare (1.45%)$865
- Massachusetts income tax$2,762
- Take-home pay$47,331
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Tax Preparer pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,690 | $18.12 | $30,799 | $2,567 |
| 25th percentile | $38,730 | $18.62 | $31,583 | $2,632 |
| Median (50th) | $59,630 | $28.67 | $47,331 | $3,944 |
| 75th percentile | $76,990 | $37.01 | $59,363 | $4,947 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,820 | $42.22 | $66,440 | $5,537 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,630 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $47,331 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,718 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tax Preparer jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for tax preparers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #15 of 28 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City, MO | $78,920 | $61,578 | $66,540 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $81,180 | $61,565 | $55,753 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $84,240 | $63,393 | $54,832 |
| 4 | Salt Lake City, UT | $66,920 | $53,863 | $53,399 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $60,170 | $50,527 | $50,418 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $71,300 | $55,736 | $49,516 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $65,150 | $52,370 | $49,507 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $70,170 | $54,881 | $49,050 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $59,630 | $47,331 | $43,718 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 28 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in Boston, MA?
The median tax preparer salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $59,630 a year, or about $28.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,730 and $76,990.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $59,630 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $47,331 a year ($3,944 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,762 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #15 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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