Enrolled Agent salary: How much do EAs make?

If you’re considering becoming an Enrolled Agent, it’s important to understand the career path. Learn more about the benefits of the designation, including the Enrolled Agent salary and the opportunities you gain as an EA. Answer how much do Enrolled Agents make, and if it’s worth becoming credentialed to increase your earning potential. 

Summary

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. Beyond financial compensation, becoming an EA offers significant career benefits, including unlimited tax representation authority before the IRS, a more accessible credentialing process compared to CPAs or tax attorneys, a wider range of job opportunities, and the potential for entrepreneurship by starting their own tax service firm. 

What is the Enrolled Agent salary? 

The average Enrolled Agent salary in the US is just over $72,000 annually,¹ although this number ranges from about to $54,000 to $82,000,² with some sources citing as high as $174,000 per year.³ 

As credentialed tax professionals, the Enrolled Agent salary is higher than non-certified tax preparers. However, how much an EA makes depends not only on having the designation, but also on several other factors. 

Factors that influence Enrolled Agent salary 

Experience 

Your level of professional experience, and the expertise you’ve accumulated with it, plays a deciding role in your salary. An entry-level Enrolled Agent salary will look different than that of a tenured professional, with the starting annual EA salary around $52,000⁴, while EAs that move into senior tax positions or grow a solid base of clients often earn well over $100,000.⁵ 

Location 

Where you live, the cost of living, and the general salaries of that area also play a big role in how much you can make as an EA. Across states, the average Enrolled Agent salary ranges by nearly $28,000: the lowest average annual salary at just over $54,000 in Florida, to the highest at over $82,000 in Washington.⁶ 

Industry 

Where you work is also a major factor in determining your Enrolled Agent salary. While not a hard and fast rule, working at companies in big-ticket industries like healthcare and private business will likely reel in a larger income than working in industries that don’t tend to be as lucrative, like non-profit or government. Even within the same industry, while you may see less of a disparity, it’s not uncommon to find that some companies offer larger and some smaller salaries for relatively similar roles. 

What are benefits beyond the Enrolled Agent salary? 

In addition to the EA salary, there are many benefits to becoming an Enrolled Agent. 

Unlimited tax authority 

The IRS’s Enrolled Agent credential grants you unlimited tax representation authority before the IRS. This means that you can prepare and file taxes, represent clients in an audit, and appeal audits before the IRS, without restriction on which taxpayers you can represent, what matters you can handle, and where in the country you work. 

Accessible credentialing process 

Only two other credentials allow you to offer the same level of unlimited tax services you possess as an Enrolled Agent: a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an tax attorney at law. Compared with these, becoming an EA is relatively simple and accessible. You don’t need to fulfill any education or experience requirements, but you must pass the 2-part EA Exam that covers all things tax law and regulation. 

More job opportunities 

As a credentialed Enrolled Agent with the ability to offer any tax service for any client, you’re equipped to take on a world of new job opportunities. Whether you work for a private company to help optimize tax savings and maintain compliance, on the tax team at a public tax firm, or for the IRS or another government agency, you’re unrestricted in where you can take your tax career. 

Entrepreneurship 

If you’re the type that thrives as your own boss and has big plans to build your own business, you can use your Enrolled Agent credential to jump into entrepreneurship. 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. You can also work as an independent consultant, taking on contracts with clients and/or firms to offer your expertise in tax services.

Become an EA with Becker 

Become an EA to unlock your Enrolled Agent salary potential. 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.

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