Tax Preparer Salary in Seattle, Washington

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$65,732/ year

Median Tax Preparer in Seattle, WA

$36,096
10th
$44,020
25th
$65,732
Median
$88,040
75th
$107,409
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$65,732
Total compensation (est.)
$75,592
Bonus range
$1,550 – $7,440
Mean salary
$69,676

How This Compares

Seattle, WA median
$65,732
Washington median
$47,216+39.2%
National median
$46,290+42.0%

Cost of living in Seattle is 42% above the national average. Salary of $65,732 here is equivalent to $46,290 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$47,327-28.0%
3-5 years
$59,816-9.0%
6-10 years
$73,620+12.0%
10+ years
$90,710+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$57,844-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$65,732
Enterprise (5,000+)
$77,564+18.0%

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Tax Preparer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Spokane, WA$46,290/yr
Tacoma, WA$46,290/yr
Vancouver, WA$46,290/yr
Bellevue, WA$46,290/yr
Kent, WA$46,290/yr

Related Jobs in Seattle

Accountant$113,430/yr
CPA$113,430/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$32/hr
Monthly gross$5,478/mo
25th percentile$44,020/yr
75th percentile$88,040/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Washington Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.7%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Tax Preparer Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Tax Preparer salary in Seattle?

The median Tax Preparer salary in Seattle is $65,732 per year, with a range from $44,020 at the 25th percentile to $88,040 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Tax Preparer pay in Seattle compare to the national average?

Tax Preparer salaries in Seattle are 42% above the national median of $46,290. After adjusting for Seattle's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $46,290 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Tax Preparer salaries in Seattle?

In Seattle, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Tax Preparer roles start around $36,096, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $107,409 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Seattle a good place for Tax Preparer jobs?

Seattle offers a Tax Preparer median of $65,732, which is 42% above the US median of $46,290. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Seattle is 42% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Tax Preparer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Tax Preparer in Seattle is $88,040, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.