Tax Accountant Salary in 2026
Prepare and file tax returns while advising clients on tax planning strategies.
Median Salary
$83,680
$6,973/mo
Entry Level
$59,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$116,900
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011, the closest published occupation to Tax Accountant) at a national median of $83,680 per year (mean $94,750), or $40.23 per hour, with 1,449,500 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
1.4M
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$40.23/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,973
Local evidence pages
High-intent Tax Accountant salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
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
$97,000
$8,083/month · $3,731/biweekly · $46.63/hr
Tax Accountant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Tax Accountant field.
Entry-level Tax Accountants earn around $59,100, while the top 10% earn $129,200 or more.
Top Paying States for Tax Accountants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,000 | +$15,320 |
| New York | $96,000 | +$12,320 |
| Illinois | $87,000 | +$3,320 |
| Texas | $82,000 | $-1,680 |
| Florida | $82,000 | $-1,680 |
Top Paying Cities for Tax Accountants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $105,650 | +$21,970 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $94,360 | +$10,680 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $85,090 | +$1,410 |
| DallasBLS metro | $82,620 | $-1,060 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $82,360 | $-1,320 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Tax Accountant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Tax Accountant from entry level to expert.
$59,100
0-2 years
$88,000
3-7 years
$116,900
8-14 years
$141,500
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Tax Accountant Salary FAQ
How much does a Tax Accountant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Tax Accountant in the United States is $83,680 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011); the mean is $94,750. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $59,100, senior professionals around $116,900, and top earners at $141,500 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Tax Accountant?
A Tax Accountant typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Tax Preparation, IRS Regulations, Tax Planning. Relevant certifications such as CPA or EA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Tax Accountants?
The job market for Tax Accountants is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.4M Tax Accountant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Tax Accountants the most?
The highest-paying states for Tax Accountants include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $96,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Tax Accountant salary?
To increase your Tax Accountant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Tax Preparation and IRS Regulations. Pursue certifications such as CPA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $59,100 to $116,900 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Tax Accountant Salary
How we calculate Tax Accountant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $83,680, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Accountants and Auditors; BLS mean $94,750; BLS hourly median $40.23.
- Entry-level ($59,100) and senior-level ($116,900) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 1,449,500 Accountants and Auditors jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $83,680; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Tax Accountant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Tax Accountant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Tax Accountant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Tax Preparation, IRS Regulations, Tax Planning), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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