Enrolled Agent Salary in 2025
Whether drawn to low entry barriers or high flexibility, an enrolled agent career is attractive to many. For tax concerns, such as audits, collections, and appeals, EAs represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. In the United States, an EA is a tax advisor who is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the Department of Treasury. With the IRS increasing enforcement and audit activities, the demand for tax representation is on the rise.
The figures above are based on data from December 2024, but it’s a no-brainer enrolled agent salary that the figures will go up this year, in 2026, and beyond. As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well. This is particularly true if they work in a reputable accounting firm or the private sector.
Tend to offer higher salaries due to cost of living and demand for tax professionals. Geographic location heavily impacts salary. States such as California and New York are known for higher salaries, influenced by the cost of living and demand for skilled tax professionals. This compensation can vary significantly based on location and experience level. The average salary for an Enrolled Agent is approximately $35,171 annually, translating to about $17 per hour.
For example, areas with higher living costs often offer salaries that reflect these factors. For instance, Enrolled Agents with several years of experience may see higher salaries, reflecting their expertise and ability to handle complex tax matters. The benefits you’ll gain from earning the EA designation will far outweigh the cost of taking the EA exam. This is a great time to go into accounting, and becoming an Enrolled Agent will help you land an even bigger starting salary than you could without it.
See what you can earn as an Enrolled Agent
Offer more flexibility and greater access to management, giving individuals a greater say in the perks and fringe benefits available. They prepare tax reports, ensure the accuracy of the company’s tax documents, and are responsible for handling any issues. Tax managers handle all the tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws for an organization. Especially in organizations that employ many tax experts, having an office manager with tax expertise is incredibly valuable. They must stay up to date on a wide variety of projects and report directly to higher-level executives.
While a college degree isn’t required to become an EA, having a degree in accounting, finance, or taxation can increase your competitiveness. The more years of experience you have, the higher your earning potential. Compare enrolled agent salaries for individual cities or states with the national average. An enrolled agent’s salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.
- Considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, but curious about the salary prospects?
- In general, CPAs earn more than EAs in all career levels; however, the CPA credential requires significantly more schooling, time and up-front costs than the EA credential.
- Tax managers handle all the tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws for an organization.
- This position does not exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers.
- The average enrolled agent salary has risen by $3,188 over the last ten years.
- EAs are federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS and have unlimited representation rights.
- He shares his knowledge on Forbes, Inc.com, and Entreprenuer.com, empowering readers to boost their careers.
Bryce Welker is a dynamic speaker, expert blogger, and founder of over 20 test prep websites. Earning the EA license demonstrates your advanced knowledge of tax procedures and regulations. Unlike the CPA exam, which requires you to have completed certain educational prerequisites, there are no educational requirements to sit for the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE). 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 no national certification for CPAs, so they must be certified in each state in which they intend to work. EAs prepare taxes, can stand in for you during an audit, and handle other business you may have with the IRS.
Enrolled Agent Salaries
However, it is vastly cheaper than that of preparing and sitting for the EA exam, and takes much less time to complete. This is good news because it means you’ve got options when you’re looking for ways to increase your salary! Earning an EA confirms to clients the tax knowledge that you have, and keeps you up to date every year on any changes in taxation. With his help, countless students and professionals have passed certification exams and achieved their dreams.
Salary OutlookWhen you look at the figures, the salary for enrolled agents is not going downhill. The job outlook for enrolled agents remains strong. As of 2026, the average annual salary for an enrolled agent in the United States ranges between $52,000 and $103,000, depending on various factors such as location, experience, and specialization.
Average Hourly Wage
The responsibilities for a mid-level position exceed that of an entry-level agent, which explains the difference in pay. Given the difference in their job descriptions, it’s not surprising that their salaries differ as well. First, it is important to understand the difference between an enrolled agent and a CPA.
Review a breakdown of entry level salary expectations by state here. For those seeking a stable career and interested in tax law, the EA role offers job flexibility, solid pay, and a quick path to take. After passing the exam and the IRS background check, you can do tax preparation and client representation easily.
- As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well.
- If you want to become an EA, now’s definitely the best time to be one.
- The average pay range for an Enrolled Agent varies by as much as $23,500, suggesting that there may be opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on variables such as skill level, location and years of experience.
- Mid-level agents can expect their salaries to be between $50,000 and $70,000 annually.
- At the same time, some people dislike the bureaucracy that comes with larger organizations, and they’re happier at the end of the day if they have more freedom to pursue their own ideas.
Start studying today with Surgent EA Review — the smartest way to pass the Enrolled Agent exam — start your free trial today. Be sure to consider additional factors alongside salary when planning your professional path. Additionally, the EA credential is more client-focused, with a variety of career paths. They work in accounting firms of all types and sizes, and many EAs start their own businesses.
Managers are looking for new ideas and are prepared to provide the necessary on-the-job training to prepare new hires for success. At the same time, some people dislike the bureaucracy that comes with larger organizations, and they’re happier at the end of the day if they have more freedom to pursue their own ideas. Learn how becoming a tax expert can help you excel at firms of all sizes on our Enrolled Agents at the Big 4 blog.
As IRS-credentialed tax experts, enrolled agents play a vital role in tax preparation, representation, and advisory services. Compare enrolled agent salaries for cities or states with the national average over time. That works out to a 4% change in pay for enrolled agents over the last decade. The highest paying types of enrolled agents are insurance broker, licensed insurance producer, and insurance producer. The highest-paying cities for enrolled agents are Green Bay, WI, San Francisco, CA, and Southfield, MI.
Job Satisfaction
EAs who focus on complex areas such as international taxation, business structuring, or IRS audit representation are often paid more than general tax preparers. EAs with extensive tax code knowledge and client representation experience command premium salaries. If you’re considering a career as an Enrolled Agent (EA) or are already on this path, understanding the current salary trends in 2026 is essential.
Continuing Education
Enrolled agent salaries at IDEMIA and Acuity Insurance are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those in senior roles can expect increased compensation. In addition to the salary benefits, you’ll also enjoy increased representation rights so you can expand your client base and the services you can offer.
In 2014, the average enrolled agent earned $31,983 annually, but today, they earn $35,171 a year. The lowest average enrolled agent salary states are Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The average enrolled agent salary in Alaska, Wisconsin, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. CPAs typically work in a more traditional office environment with a predictable salary that increases over time as they gather experience. Senior level internal revenue agents can earn a healthy income in the accounting world.
Entry-level tax preparers make less, but can expect their salary to increase after gaining several years of experience, and gathering more clients. When it comes to jobs in accounting and finance, many people consider becoming CPAs, while few think about the option of becoming enrolled agents. The average pay range for an Enrolled Agent varies by as much as $23,500, suggesting that there may be opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on variables such as skill level, location and years of experience. With the right mix of experience, specialization, and professional development, EAs can steadily increase their earnings and advance into senior-level roles. In 2026, enrolled agents enjoy competitive salaries, strong job security, and growing opportunities in the evolving financial landscape.
