In the United States, an EA is a tax advisor who is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the Department of Treasury. For tax concerns, such as audits, collections, and appeals, EAs represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. The Enrolled Agent credential is the highest designation awarded by the Internal Revenue Service. These regional differences underscore the importance of considering location when evaluating potential earnings as an EA.

Employment Opportunities for Enrolled Agents

Moreover, it instills credibility and trust, which is paramount in the financial landscape. Salary OutlookWhen you look at the figures, the salary for enrolled agents is not going downhill. As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well. 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.

Financial Planning Analyst

Generally speaking, CPA salaries tend to be higher than enrolled agent salaries. This could depend on where the individual is on the career ladder. However, the salary of a CPA will quickly exceed the salary pace of an EA. This is because the income potential for enrolled agents tends to taper out over time. By comparison, a CPA can have a number of opportunities for earning money.

• There are several resources online to help you pursue an EA certification.
• In many cases, clients call upon the expertise of Enrolled Agents in complex tax situations where audits are likely.
• As the demand for their expert services grows, you can expect the salary to grow as well.
• But the fact that smaller firms have to specialize can be both a blessing and a curse for Enrolled Agents.
• An early career Enrolled Agent with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $48,980 based on 8 salaries.

Learn about upskilling your career with Surgent IQ

The Enrolled Agent (EA) credential is a nationally recognized certification offered by the IRS for tax professionals. There is no specific education or work experience requirement, although candidates should have well-established tax knowledge before taking the exam. The average enrolled agent salary has risen by $3,188 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average enrolled agent earned $31,983 annually, but today, they earn $35,171 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for enrolled agents over the last decade. Anyone is allowed to sit for the Partnership Accounting enrolled agent exam, which is not the case for the CPA exam.

• While that number is large, most of those firms are small agencies that handle relatively few clients compared to the big competition.
• This expertise, while potentially commanding lower salaries than the broader CPA role, remains highly valuable in the financial services sector.
• This flexibility allows EAs to simultaneously engage in various roles, potentially increasing overall income.
• Both certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents (EAs) must adhere to strict ethical standards.
• The annual average salary for beginners could range from $30,000 to $50,000.

EA salaries often reflect local economic conditions and cost of living. Urban centers like New York City enrolled agent salary nyc may offer higher salaries compared to smaller towns, following basic supply and demand principles. Offer more flexibility and greater access to management, giving individuals a greater say in the perks and fringe benefits available. 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 exclusively involve taxes, but having experience with tax planning can be beneficial to many bookkeepers.

• Furthermore, you’ll love the flexibility, stability, and ability to make an impact on the finances of others.
• Therefore, the ability to expand your client base beyond state borders is an advantage enrolled agents have over CPAs.
• This is quite important considering the importance of ethics in this job role.
• And, Enrolled Agent salaries are on the rise at larger firms and corporations, too.

How much do Enrolled Agents make compared to the Average Tax Preparer?

Compare https://portail-regions.gov.bf/centre/2025/02/07/understanding-vacation-accruals-employer-employee/ enrolled agent salaries for individual cities or states with the national average. Compare enrolled agent salaries for cities or states with the national average over time. An enrolled agent’s salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile. Individuals who are considering a new career path may find that becoming an enrolled agent is the right choice. The National Association of Enrolled Agents reports that there are more than 50,000 enrolled agents working in the United States as well as abroad. Before delving too deeply into this field as a career option, it’s important to understand EA salaries to determine if this is the right career choice for you.