Tax Preparer Salary in San Francisco, CA
Tax Preparers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $84,240 a year — 53% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,393 take-home, or $5,283 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,703
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,223
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,221
- California income tax$3,605
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,095
- Take-home pay$63,393
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Tax Preparer pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,420 | $22.80 | $38,771 | $3,231 |
| 25th percentile | $71,700 | $34.47 | $55,815 | $4,651 |
| Median (50th) | $84,240 | $40.50 | $63,393 | $5,283 |
| 75th percentile | $97,630 | $46.94 | $71,394 | $5,949 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,230 | $50.59 | $75,935 | $6,328 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,240 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $63,393 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,832 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Francisco, CA 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
San Francisco, CA ranks #3 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 →
Tax Preparer salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $81,180
- San Diego, CA — $70,170
- Los Angeles, CA — $65,120
- Sacramento, CA — $60,430
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in San Francisco, CA?
The median tax preparer salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $84,240 a year, or about $40.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,700 and $97,630.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $84,240 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $63,393 a year ($5,283 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,700 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 53% above the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,832 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #3 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- Financial Risk Specialist — $167,440
- Personal Financial Advisor — $160,610
- Project Management Specialist — $135,040
- Financial Examiner — $131,820
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $130,520
- Management Analyst — $126,730
- Labor Relations Specialist — $124,400
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $123,250
- Credit Analyst — $122,590
- Compliance Officer — $118,890
- Budget Analyst — $117,360
- Accountant and Auditor — $110,730