Career Explorer Business and finance
Grows with AI
Tax preparers
Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 14% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.7% by 2035, faster than average.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $54,920
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.7%
- Openings a year
- 9,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 95,800
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Calculate financial data
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Respond to customer problems or inquiries
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Interview people to obtain information
- Examine financial activities, operations, or systems
- Develop financial or business plans
What the work looks like
- Compute taxes owed or overpaid, using adding machines or personal computers, and complete entries on forms, following tax form instructions and tax tables.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- Interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Demonstrators and product promotersChanging shape, Index 19, +0.2%
- Tour and travel guidesGrows with AI, Index 42, +6.3%
- Farm labor contractorsHuman edge, growing, Index 82, +7.4%
- Cargo and freight agentsGrows with AI, Index 31, +6.2%
Also known as: CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Enrolled Agent, Tax Advisor, Tax Preparer, Income Tax Preparer, Tax Accountant, Tax Associate, Tax Consultant.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.