Tax Preparer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Tax Preparers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $65,120 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,660 take-home, or $4,305 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tax preparer salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,634
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,037
- Medicare (1.45%)$944
- California income tax$1,997
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$847
- Take-home pay$51,660
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Tax Preparer pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,790 | $18.17 | $31,552 | $2,629 |
| 25th percentile | $40,880 | $19.65 | $33,871 | $2,823 |
| Median (50th) | $65,120 | $31.31 | $51,660 | $4,305 |
| 75th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 | $60,071 | $5,006 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,740 | $51.32 | $76,837 | $6,403 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,120 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tax preparer's $51,660 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,489 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 Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for tax preparers, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $71,300 | $55,736 | $49,516 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,120 | $51,660 | $45,489 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: tax preparers
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tax preparer make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median tax preparer salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $65,120 a year, or about $31.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,880 and $78,680.
What is a tax preparer’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $65,120 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $51,660 a year ($4,305 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,844 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a tax preparer?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $54,920. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,489 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tax preparer afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median tax preparer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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