Prevailing Wage for Tax Preparers
Prevailing wage for Tax Preparers under SOC 13-2082 is set by the Department of Labor and applies to every sponsored position, whether the employer titles the role Income Tax Preparer, Enrolled Agent, or CPA (Certified Public Accountant). DOL publishes four experience levels, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city.
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Entry-level preparers with limited experience, typically handling straightforward individual returns under direct supervision. Candidates who are new to U.S. tax practice or transitioning from a foreign tax background often file at this level.
Qualified preparers with solid independent competence across common return types. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Tax Preparers, covering staff-level roles at accounting firms, retail tax chains, and corporate tax departments.
Experienced preparers who handle complex returns, supervise junior staff, or manage a defined client portfolio with minimal oversight. Roles requiring specialized knowledge in areas such as small-business taxation or multi-state filings typically land here.
Fully competent senior preparers exercising independent judgment on complex matters, setting departmental standards, or leading a team. These roles carry broad responsibility and are the least common filing level for sponsored Tax Preparers positions.
Prevailing Wage for Tax Preparers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm your level before busy-season offers
Many firms hire seasonal Tax Preparers at Level 1 even when the candidate has multi-year experience, because volume-filing roles are scoped narrowly. Verify that the LCA level matches your actual duties before signing, since post-filing corrections require a new LCA.
Watch for metro-pay gaps at retail tax chains
High-volume retail preparers in lower-paying metros like Huntington, KY can see prevailing wage floors far below rates in San Jose or New York. If the employer operates nationally, confirm the LCA lists your actual worksite city, not the company headquarters.
Exclude signing bonuses from wage compliance math
DOL counts only the base wage toward the prevailing wage floor for Tax Preparers. A signing bonus offered to offset a below-floor salary does not satisfy the LCA requirement, even if the total first-year package appears competitive.
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Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Tax Preparers and related accounting roles, so you can target firms with an established H-1B or E-3 filing track record rather than approaching employers who have never sponsored the occupation.
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Find Jobs for Tax PreparersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 13-2082.00 alongside Tax Preparers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Prevailing Wage
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Prevailing Wage
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) positions fall under SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Enrolled Agent Prevailing Wage
Enrolled Agent Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Enrolled Agent for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Income Tax Preparer Prevailing Wage
Income Tax Preparer Prevailing Wage
Income Tax Preparer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Tax Accountant Prevailing Wage
Tax Accountant Prevailing Wage
Tax Accountant positions fall under SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tax Advisor Prevailing Wage
Tax Advisor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tax Advisor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tax Associate Prevailing Wage
Tax Associate Prevailing Wage
Tax Associate is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Tax Consultant Prevailing Wage
Tax Consultant Prevailing Wage
Tax Consultant positions fall under SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tax Professional Prevailing Wage
Tax Professional Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tax Professional for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tax Specialist Prevailing Wage
Tax Specialist Prevailing Wage
Tax Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 13-2082.00 (Tax Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Tax Preparers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate median wages for each SOC code at the national and metropolitan-area level. For Tax Preparers under SOC 13-2082, those survey results are published through the OFLC Wage Search tool. Employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the DOL-determined prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level roles under close supervision, Level 2 to qualified workers performing standard duties independently, Level 3 to experienced workers handling complex cases or supervising others, and Level 4 to fully competent senior professionals. To identify your level, compare your actual job duties and supervisory responsibilities against the DOL level definitions. The level on the LCA must reflect what you will actually do, not just the job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Tax Preparers role vary so much by city?
DOL derives wages from regional OES surveys, so local labor market conditions directly determine the floor. Dense employer markets like San Francisco and New York produce higher survey medians than smaller metros. For visa sponsorship, the LCA must list the actual worksite address, meaning the prevailing wage that applies is the one for that specific metropolitan statistical area, regardless of where the company is headquartered.
What happens if a job offer for a sponsored Tax Preparers position is below prevailing wage?
An employer cannot certify an LCA if the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and location. USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition backed by a non-compliant LCA. If the shortfall is discovered after filing, OFLC can investigate and the employer may face back-wage liability and debarment from future sponsorship. The offer must be corrected before certification proceeds.
How do I find and verify the Tax Preparers prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool and enter SOC code 13-2082 along with the target metropolitan area. The tool returns all four wage levels for that location. Cross-reference with O*NET for the occupation profile if you need to confirm the role description. Migrate Mate can help you identify employers that have sponsored Tax Preparers in particular metro areas, giving you a practical starting point before you verify the wage floor directly through OFLC.
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