Metropolitan geography of tax preparers employment and earnings

The 63,000 tax preparers employed in the United States—who prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses—earned annual wages of $35,520, on average, in May 2008.

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Earnings varied by metropolitan area. The 460 tax preparers employed in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California, had average earnings of $72,970. In contrast, the 3,280 tax preparers in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania metropolitan area earned $36,610, on average.

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These data are from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Estimates of employment and wages for tax preparers and many other occupations can be found in "May 2008 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates." OES estimates of employment and earnings do not include the self-employed nor owners and partners in unincorporated firms. Tax preparers do not have the background or responsibilities of accredited or certified public accountants, who are classified in a separate occupational category.