Tax Preparer Salary in Denver, CO
Tax Preparers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $65,150 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,370 take-home, or $4,364 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,638
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,039
- Medicare (1.45%)$945
- Colorado income tax$2,158
- Take-home pay$52,370
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Tax Preparer pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,070 | $18.78 | $32,562 | $2,714 |
| 25th percentile | $45,350 | $21.80 | $37,332 | $3,111 |
| Median (50th) | $65,150 | $31.32 | $52,370 | $4,364 |
| 75th percentile | $80,100 | $38.51 | $62,364 | $5,197 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,130 | $51.50 | $80,191 | $6,683 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,150 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $52,370 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,507 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.2× the national concentration of tax preparer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for tax preparers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #7 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median tax preparer salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $65,150 a year, or about $31.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,350 and $80,100.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $65,150 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $52,370 a year ($4,364 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,158 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,507 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #7 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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