The largest firms in the country pull in billions of dollars in revenue annually and employ tens of thousands of people. On the other hand, the smallest successful brokers and agents typically see less than a million dollars come through their doors each year. To become an enrolled agent, it is necessary to pass a three-part examination. Additionally, anyone who is interested in becoming an EA will need to pass a background Restaurant Cash Flow Management check. The background check will consist of researching the candidate’s personal tax history. This is quite important considering the importance of ethics in this job role.
See what you can earn as an Enrolled Agent
- Enrolled agents are typically employed by businesses specializing in handling income tax resolutions or preparing tax returns.
- 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.
- Other tasks include preparing tax returns, performing tax accounting reconciliations, teaming up with the different departments regarding any tax issues, etc.
- 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.
- 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.
- This means EAs can represent any taxpayer, regardless of whether they prepared their income tax return.
Whatever your reason is for pursuing an EA career, you will surely love the pay if you stick around long enough and gain experience. Furthermore, you’ll love the flexibility, stability, and ability to make an impact on the finances of others. There are several resources online to help you pursue an EA certification. To qualify for high-level positions, EAs must typically have a minimum of 5 years experience in tax consulting, planning and enrolled agent salary training. Other tasks include preparing tax returns, performing tax accounting reconciliations, teaming up with the different departments regarding any tax issues, etc.
More articles by Uplift Professionals
Enrolled Agents (EAs) earn an average annual salary of just over $72,000 in the US, with some sources citing earnings as high as $174,000 per year. An EA’s salary is primarily influenced by their level of professional experience, geographic location, and the industry they work in. If you’re considering a career as an Enrolled Agent (EA) or are already on this path, understanding the current salary trends in 2025 is essential. As IRS-credentialed tax experts, enrolled agents play a vital role in tax preparation, representation, and advisory services. 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.
- EA salaries depend on a variety of factors, such as the number of years of experience, type of experience, and work location.
- Lesser RequirementsCompared to the CPA credential, earning an EA designation is less strenuous.
- The highest-paying cities for enrolled agents are Green Bay, WI, San Francisco, CA, and Southfield, MI.
- Large firms are willing and able to pay a premium to attract top talent.
- Download Becker’s FREE EA Exam Guide ebook to learn more about being an EA, career insights, and everything you need to know about the EA Exam and how to pass.
Enrolled Agent Salaries for Senior Level
Elsewhere in the region, such as Baltimore, the majority of the enrolled agent positions pay between $38,197 and $55,306 per year. Beyond enrolled agent salaries, there are numerous advantages to becoming an enrolled agent. An EA is the only individual who has normal balance been the right to practice as granted expressly by the United States government.
- There is no national certification for CPAs, so they must be certified in each state in which they intend to work.
- In order to sit for the EA exam, all that is required is a preparer tax identification number.
- 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.
- Salary OutlookWhen you look at the figures, the salary for enrolled agents is not going downhill.
- They must stay up to date on relevant tax laws and often communicate across departments to ensure the entire firm is complying with accounting procedures.
- Self-employed Enrolled Agents who operate their own accounting agencies can expect more earnings than their counterparts at large brokerages and corporations.
In addition to traditional accountants, a lot of mid-sized to large corporations benefit from hiring a full-time enrolled agent. Similar to having a corporate attorney, having an Enrolled Agent on staff helps many companies stay on top of their complex tax issues. For instance, corporations rely on Enrolled Agents to advise them on policy, prepare taxes, and represent them in audits and other proceedings before the IRS. Chicago’s median salary for Enrolled Agents is actually lower than that of the rest of the country, according to Salary.com’s data. Current job postings in Chicago reveal an EA salary range from around $55,000 per year to over 6 figures.
