Tax Preparers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $60,420 +19.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.05
10th percentile $35,040
90th percentile $82,990
Employed locally 50
National median $50,560

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Tax Preparers
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,040
    25th
    $40,050
    50th (median)
    $60,420
    75th
    $79,320
    90th
    $82,990

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Tax Preparers salary vs area income 55% Median Tax Preparers salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Tax Preparers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $83,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $83,240
    Alaska $77,010
    Anchorage, AK $77,010
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $76,260
    Jefferson City, MO $75,990

    Nearby metros — Tax Preparers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $83,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $83,240
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $74,670
    California $73,210
    Modesto, CA $64,630
    Fresno, CA $61,560

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Accountants and Auditors $83,070
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $78,770
    Management Analysts $101,930
    Project Management Specialists $102,160
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $76,440
    Human Resources Specialists $81,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Tax Preparers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Tax Preparers in Santa Cruz, CA is $29.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.06 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Tax Preparers salaries?

    The median Tax Preparers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 19.5% above the national median of $50,560. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Tax Preparers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Tax Preparers (10th percentile) earn around $35,040 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,050.