Tax Preparer Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Tax Preparers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $44,770 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,242 take-home, or $3,104 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,192
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,776
- Medicare (1.45%)$649
- Arizona income tax$911
- Take-home pay$37,242
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Tax Preparer pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,760 | $19.12 | $33,342 | $2,778 |
| 25th percentile | $43,100 | $20.72 | $35,942 | $2,995 |
| Median (50th) | $44,770 | $21.52 | $37,242 | $3,104 |
| 75th percentile | $79,030 | $38.00 | $62,661 | $5,222 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,700 | $55.63 | $87,541 | $7,295 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,770 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $37,242 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,047 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 1.4× 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
Phoenix, AZ ranks #28 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 |
| 28 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,770 | $37,242 | $36,047 |
*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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median tax preparer salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $44,770 a year, or about $21.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,100 and $79,030.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $44,770 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $37,242 a year ($3,104 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $911 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,047 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #28 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
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- Management Analyst — $94,900
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- Budget Analyst — $84,810
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