# Tax Preparers

> Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tax-preparers
- SOC code: 13-2082.00
- Career family: Business and finance
- Median annual pay: $54,920 (10th percentile $33,760, 90th percentile $99,270)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.7%
- Openings a year: 9,400
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CEI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 19 |
| Investigative (I) | 23 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 21 |
| Enterprising (E) | 40 |
| Conventional (C) | 97 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 92/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 87/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 81/100)
- Processing Information (importance 81/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 74/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 72/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 72/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Speaking, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics, Monitoring, Service Orientation

## Knowledge

Economics and Accounting, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Mathematics, Law and Government, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Education and Training, Telecommunications, Communications and Media

## Also called

Corporate Tax Preparer, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Credentialed Tax Expert, Credentialed Tax Professional, Enrolled Agent, Income Tax Advisor, Income Tax Consultant, Income Tax Expert, Income Tax Preparer, Licensed Tax Consultant

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Accounting and Related Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5203) (CIP 5203, 1,951 colleges)
- [Taxation](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5216) (CIP 5216, 125 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Georgetown University-DC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/georgetown-university-dc-1068) | Accounting and Related Services | not reported | $141,931 | $16,035 |
| [Bucknell University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bucknell-university-331) | Accounting and Related Services | $87,150 | $130,990 | $25,350 |
| [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/santa-clara-university-2371) | Accounting and Related Services | $88,383 | $130,087 | $16,249 |
| [Boston College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/boston-college-285) | Accounting and Related Services | $85,089 | $126,461 | $19,000 |
| [Lehigh University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lehigh-university-1472) | Accounting and Related Services | $83,966 | $125,874 | $19,000 |
| [Villanova University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/villanova-university-3127) | Accounting and Related Services | $83,193 | $120,207 | $24,187 |
| [American University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/american-university-69) | Accounting and Related Services | not reported | $119,020 | not reported |
| [Washington and Lee University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/washington-and-lee-university-3167) | Accounting and Related Services | not reported | $118,946 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tax-examiners-and-collectors-and-revenue-agents): $62,370 median pay
- [Accountants and Auditors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/accountants-and-auditors): $83,680 median pay
- [Personal Financial Advisors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/personal-financial-advisors): $105,070 median pay
- [Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks): $50,670 median pay
- [Credit Counselors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/credit-counselors): $52,230 median pay
- [Budget Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/budget-analysts): $91,640 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.