Enrolled Agent EA Salary

Current job postings in Chicago reveal an EA salary range from around $55,000 per year to over 6 figures. What’s more, the median pay for Enrolled Agents Airbnb Accounting and Bookkeeping in Denver is in line with the U.S. median at over $44,000. Yet, in the mile-high city, over half of the EA salary figures posted are above $112,000 annually.

Enrolled Agent Salary Guide in 2025-26

The figures above are based on data from December 2024, but it’s a no-brainer that the figures will go up this year, in 2026, and beyond. If you want to become an EA, now’s definitely the best time to be one. Enrolled agent salaries at IDEMIA and Acuity Insurance are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates.

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• Therefore, while CPAs do earn more on average than enrolled agents in the short run, the potential for earnings over the span of a career can be higher for enrolled agents.
• If you’re considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, it’s important to understand the career path.
• EA candidates are not allowed to have any outstanding tax liabilities.
• Congress created the designation of enrolled agent in 1884 following the Civil War.

Additionally, enrolled agents must possess a thorough understanding of IRS documentation, as the documentation must be filed with the IRS. For this reason, an enrolled agent must also be well organized and capable of meeting reporting and filing deadlines. In order to work as an enrolled agent, candidates must receive the proper certification from the Internal Revenue Service.

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What’s more, when an Enrolled Agent runs a small agency or brokerage that offers complete, specialized tax solutions for its clients, she can expand her earning potential even more. And, Enrolled Agent salaries are on the rise at larger firms and corporations, too. So, if you’re just starting out as an Enrolled Agent, you can expect to make somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 annually.

For example, daycare can be a considerable expense for young working families. On-site daycare could save thousands of dollars and dozens of hours in commuting each year. Whether drawn to low entry enrolled agents salary barriers or high flexibility, an enrolled agent career is attractive to many. Nonetheless, in any career, one of the most important factors and probably one of the main considerations is the salary, that’s why we’re here. Compare enrolled agent salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.

Enrolled Agent Salaries for Mid-Level

• EAs can take on the risk—and reap the rewards—of opening their own tax service firm, helping clients file taxes, optimize savings, stay compliant, and navigate IRS audits.
• This position does not exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers.
• As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well.
• However, some prefer to work for only one client or for a corporation or a smaller business.
• Candidates who have a sufficient amount of work experience, according to IRS guidelines, may not even be required to take the exam.
• If you look at it, it may not be much, but keep in mind that EAs have the potential to see a rapid pay hike as they acquire experience and specialize in tax areas.
• Enrolled agent salary is impacted by location, education, and experience.

And, in addition to the standard background check, the IRS also investigates your personal tax history. It’s essential to take into account the cost of living expenses in your deliberations as well. Considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, but curious about the salary prospects? Take a look at our Enrolled Agent Salary Guide to get an idea about industry salary range. First, it is important to understand the difference between an enrolled agent and a CPA. Offer more flexibility and greater access to management, giving individuals a greater say in the perks and fringe benefits available.

• Whether drawn to low entry barriers or high flexibility, an enrolled agent career is attractive to many.
• As you’ll see, each employment option for Enrolled Agents has its pros and cons.
• And, Enrolled Agent salaries are on the rise at larger firms and corporations, too.
• On the other hand, the actual range is between $43,399 and $62,837.
• The big chains pay their more experienced Enrolled Agents between $20 and $30 per hour on average, which comes to between $40,000 and $50,000 annually.

The average Enrolled Agent salary is approximately $52,000 annually, as compared to CPAs,  who earn an average of approximately $70,000 a year. According to PayScale, EAs make between $34,000 and $80,000 a year, while CPAs make between $50,000 and $116,000 a year. There is considerably more responsibility required for EAs in senior positions, which translates into the potential to earn a greater income. Tax managers handle all the tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws for an organization.

• After passing the exam and paying the necessary enrollment fee, candidates will then be required to pass a compliance check to ensure they have paid all their taxes.
• Bryce Welker is a dynamic speaker, expert blogger, and founder of over 20 test prep websites.
• At a median of over $53,000, the salary for an independent Enrolled Agent is not bad.
• For instance, the range for some posted jobs in these types of companies is between $60,000 and $85,000.
• The responsibilities for a mid-level position exceed that of an entry-level agent, which explains the difference in pay.

They handle balancing the budget and must use budgeting and auditing software programs. Bookkeepers ensure that a business makes the most economically viable and safe decisions to keep finances tight and under control. This position does not https://consultory.mx/solved-the-depreciation-tax-shield-is-best-defined-2/ exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers. Completing the AFSP is not nearly as comprehensive as receiving an Enrolled Agent designation, and you do not have as many rights as an EA. However, it is vastly cheaper than that of preparing and sitting for the EA exam, and takes much less time to complete.

However, besides the exam, there are not many bottlenecks to obtaining the designation. Nevertheless, you can pursue additional credentials, such as CPA licensure for instance. I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites. As per information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for CPAs stands at about $79,000. You only need to pass the Enrolled Agent exam and obtain your PTIN to get started. Once you click “continue,” you will be brought to a third-party website.