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Tax Accountant Salary in 2026

Prepare and file tax returns while advising clients on tax planning strategies.

Median Salary

$68,000

$5,667/mo

Entry Level

$48,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$95,000

experienced

Job Growth

+4%

10-yr outlook

Tax Accountant Overview

Prepare and file tax returns while advising clients on tax planning strategies.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Experience

1-3 years

Industry

Finance

Total Jobs (US)

145K

5-Year Growth

+10%

Category

Finance

Hourly Rate

$32.69/hr

Monthly Pay

$5,667

Tax Accountant Salary Calculator

Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Tax Accountant salary in your area.

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Tax Accountant Salary

$79,000

$6,583/month · $3,038/biweekly · $37.98/hr

Tax Accountant Salary Range

Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Tax Accountant field.

25th Percentile$56,000
$56K
Median (50th)$68,000
$68K
75th Percentile$81,500
$82K
90th Percentile$105,000
$105K
Top Earners$115,000
$115K

Entry-level Tax Accountants earn around $48,000, while the top 10% earn $105,000 or more.

Top Paying States for Tax Accountants

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$80,000+$12,000
New York$78,000+$10,000
Illinois$71,000+$3,000
Texas$67,000$-1,000
Florida$67,000$-1,000

Top Paying Cities for Tax Accountants

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
New York$80,000+$12,000
Los Angeles$76,000+$8,000
Chicago$71,000+$3,000
Dallas$68,000$0
Houston$67,000$-1,000

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Tax PreparationIRS RegulationsTax PlanningDeductionsTax Software

Certifications

CPAEA

Tax Accountant Career Progression

Typical salary growth path for a Tax Accountant from entry level to expert.

Entry Level

$48,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$72,000

3-7 years

Senior

$95,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$115,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Tax Accountant Salary FAQ

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