Tax Preparer Salary in Kansas City, MO
Tax Preparers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $78,920 a year — 44% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,578 take-home, or $5,132 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,532
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,893
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,144
- Missouri income tax$2,772
- Take-home pay$61,578
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Tax Preparer pay by experience in Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,380 | $17.01 | $29,882 | $2,490 |
| 25th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 | $39,452 | $3,288 |
| Median (50th) | $78,920 | $37.94 | $61,578 | $5,132 |
| 75th percentile | $99,530 | $47.85 | $75,109 | $6,259 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,520 | $68.04 | $102,281 | $8,523 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,920 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $61,578 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,540 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 Kansas City, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for tax preparers, adjusted for cost of living
Kansas City, MO ranks #1 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 Kansas City, MO?
The median tax preparer salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $78,920 a year, or about $37.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,030 and $99,530.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $78,920 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $61,578 a year ($5,132 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,772 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 44% above the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,540 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #1 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO
- Personal Financial Advisor — $123,140
- Project Management Specialist — $101,050
- Management Analyst — $98,430
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $97,680
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $90,060
- Financial Examiner — $89,300
- Insurance Underwriter — $84,800
- Loan Officer — $82,330
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,040
- Cost Estimator — $78,940
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $78,090
- Compliance Officer — $77,650