Tax Preparers pay range in Bellingham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,420 a year or less, while the top 10% make $52,640 or more. The middle half of tax preparers in Bellingham earn between $39,480 and $44,840.
- $37K10th
- $39K25th
- $44KMedian
- $45K75th
- $53K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $45,850 | $3,821 | $22.04 |
| Median | $44,250 | $3,688 | $21.27 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $39,480 | $3,290 | $18.98 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $44,840 | $3,737 | $21.56 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Tax Preparers pay in Bellingham vs. Washington and the U.S.
Tax preparers in Bellingham earn 7% less than the Washington average ($49,380) and 25% less than the U.S. average ($60,930). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $54,920.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $45,850 | $44,250 | $37,420 | $52,640 | 50 |
| Washington | $49,380 | $45,370 | $38,260 | $71,480 | 1,360 |
| United States | $60,930 | $54,920 | $33,760 | $99,270 | 76,480 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Tax Preparers salary after taxes in Bellingham
On the average salary of $45,850, a single filer in Bellingham takes home about $39,020 a year, or $3,252 a month and $1,501 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Is Bellingham a good place for tax preparers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Bellingham area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.3), so the average $45,850 buys what about $44,371 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Bellingham ($57,820). A typical home costs $620,829, or 13.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Tax Preparers salary in other Washington cities
Bellingham ranks 4th of 4 Washington metro areas for this job; Seattle pays the most ($51,860).
Highest-paying cities for tax preparers
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($84,300).
- San Francisco, CA$84,300
- San Jose, CA$83,550
- Kansas City, MO$82,540
- Anchorage, AK$77,620
- Jefferson City, MO$77,180
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Tax Preparers salary in Bellingham: questions
How much do tax preparers make an hour in Bellingham?
$22.05 an hour on average, and $21.27 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level tax preparers salary in Bellingham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,420 a year and the 25th percentile is $39,480, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the tax preparers take-home pay in Bellingham?
About $39,020 a year ($3,252 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $45,850. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Do tax preparers earn more in Bellingham than elsewhere?
The average here is 25% less than the U.S. average for this job ($60,930).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 13-2082; area Bellingham, WA (13380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.06, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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