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Job outlook for senior tax managers in the United States
Senior tax manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior tax manager job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for senior tax managers are projected over the next decade.
Senior tax manager salaries have increased 10% for senior tax managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 19,129 senior tax managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 65,323 active senior tax manager job openings in the US.
The average senior tax manager salary is $92,363.
Are senior tax manager jobs in demand?
Senior tax manager job and salary trends over time
Senior tax manager jobs over time
Senior tax manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,129 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 18,446 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 18,522 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 17,910 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 17,385 | 0.01% |
Average senior tax manager salary over time
Senior tax manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,363 | $44.41 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $89,410 | $42.99 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $88,103 | $42.36 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $86,099 | $41.39 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $83,807 | $40.29 | +3.2% |
Senior tax manager jobs by state
Most common states for senior tax managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 237 | 34% |
| 2 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 397 | 11% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 121 | 11% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 764 | 10% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 696 | 10% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 319 | 10% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 98 | 10% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,171 | 9% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 749 | 9% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 503 | 9% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 288 | 9% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,033 | 8% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 787 | 8% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 501 | 8% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 483 | 8% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 421 | 8% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 328 | 8% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 110 | 8% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,390 | 7% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 202 | 7% |
Most common cities for senior tax managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford | 13 | 11% | $93,332 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | 14 | 7% | $86,582 |
| 3 | Irvine | 15 | 6% | $90,626 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 25 | 5% | $80,036 |
| 5 | Boston | 29 | 4% | $95,321 |
| 6 | San Francisco | 23 | 3% | $99,278 |
| 7 | Detroit | 19 | 3% | $88,055 |
| 8 | Sacramento | 15 | 3% | $98,861 |
| 9 | New Orleans | 13 | 3% | $85,799 |
| 10 | Miami | 12 | 3% | $77,514 |
| 11 | San Jose | 16 | 2% | $98,490 |
| 12 | Washington | 16 | 2% | $108,514 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 15 | 2% | $84,496 |
| 14 | Denver | 14 | 2% | $87,585 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 12 | 2% | $107,381 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 31 | 1% | $91,340 |
| 17 | Chicago | 25 | 1% | $86,648 |
| 18 | San Diego | 18 | 1% | $89,400 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 14 | 1% | $85,376 |
| 20 | Jacksonville | 12 | 1% | $82,598 |
Senior Tax Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior tax manager experts
Gonzaga University
The University of Texas at Arlington
Indiana University Northwest
Saint Cloud State University
The Weinman Group
What Senior Tax Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Brajcich: Ask yourself, “What can I do to make the job of the person above me easier.” That should be your guiding light. If you approach every workday with that, you’ll soon find yourself on better clients, working with better teams, and moving up in the organization.
What will help Senior Tax Managers increase their earning potential?
Andrew Brajcich: 1) Be open to anything. You might be surprised at what you discover. 2) Be nimble. Most career paths are a zig zag. Few are direct. 3) Learn how to leverage AI without being over reliant. In tax, it has a long ways to go so hop on for the ride but double check every aspect of the work product. You can learn with it. And of course get permission before using any tools.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Manager?
Kenton Klaus: As noted above, the best way to maximize salary potential is to quickly narrow down the areas of tax where the graduate student can separate themselves from other candidates. If the graduate student did his or her homework before finishing their graduate studies, they will be able to demonstrate to employers that they have a deeper knowledge of the technical areas in which they have an interest, along with the applicable technology.
What Senior Tax Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kenton Klaus: Taxation is a very broad discipline, so it's important for a new tax professional to understand all the opportunities available for them to use their graduate degree. In some cases, graduate students have already been in the workforce, and have specific plans to return to a certain area of practice. However, many students have not explored the available opportunities to see which line up best with their interests and skills. I encourage graduate students to explore the market before they graduate, reach out to alumni who work in different areas of the tax profession, and speak with the professors for the courses that most interested them.
What will help Senior Tax Managers increase their earning potential?
Kenton Klaus: Taxation is a very broad discipline, so it's important for a new tax professional to understand all the opportunities available for them to use their graduate degree. In some cases, graduate students have already been in the workforce, and have specific plans to return to a certain area of practice. However, many students have not explored the available opportunities to see which line up best with their interests and skills. I encourage graduate students to explore the market before they graduate, reach out to alumni who work in different areas of the tax profession, and speak with the professors for the courses that most interested them.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Manager?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Choosing a career in accounting today is particularly appealing due to the strong demand for skilled professionals in the field. Accounting stands out for its stability, offering a secure and reliable career path. The diversity within the profession, including areas like tax accounting and financial analysis, provides individuals with flexibility to align their work with their specific interests. With a global relevance, accountants are in high demand internationally. The current technological advancements have streamlined routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles. Pursuing well-regarded certifications, such as the CPA designation, ensures continuous learning and opens avenues for career advancement. Additionally, the flexibility for remote work and potential for entrepreneurial ventures make accounting a highly sought-after and promising choice in response to the prevalent demand for skilled professionals.
What Senior Tax Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Some individuals may find the work routine and meticulous, as attention to detail is paramount in accounting. Meeting deadlines, especially during tax season, can lead to periods of heightened stress. Additionally, the demanding nature of staying abreast of ever-changing tax laws and regulations can be seen as both a positive challenge for those who enjoy continuous learning and a potential source of stress for others. Overall, while accounting provides stability and numerous rewarding aspects, it also requires a commitment to precision and adaptability to navigate its challenges.
What will help Senior Tax Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Tax accountants hold a pivotal role in managing financial records, ensuring tax compliance, and offering strategic financial guidance. Their daily activities encompass preparing tax returns, conducting financial analyses, and staying abreast of dynamic tax regulations. Recent graduates embark on a fulfilling journey, starting with foundational tasks and progressing through training, collaboration with experienced professionals, and client engagement. This profession offers continuous learning opportunities, with many aspiring to attain certifications like the CPA designation. Ultimately, becoming a tax accountant is not only rewarding but also crucial in contributing to financial transparency, efficiency, and compliance for individuals and businesses alike.
Jaclyn Barkow
Clinical Assistant Professor of AccountingIndiana University Northwest
Accounting Department
What skills stand out on Senior Tax Manager resumes?
Jaclyn Barkow: I do not do company hiring, but from my interactions with employers, major items that stand out on resumes are having an internship or completing volunteer work preparing tax returns. Successfully completing an internship shows the student what to expect during tax season and the challenges that come with it. Employers know that students understand the profession and know what they are applying for. Those who volunteer to prepare tax returns through local organizations (United Way, or AARP, for example) demonstrate the ability to pass IRS certification requirements, prepare tax returns, and in the process help the community.
What soft skills should all Senior Tax Managers possess?
Jaclyn Barkow: The most valuable soft skill is communication. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication comes in the form of written and oral. Effective communication also entails knowing when to listen, when to respond, and asking questions. Young accountants will also not know everything upon entering the workplace; asking questions is important for the learning process.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Tax Managers?
Jaclyn Barkow: Understanding tax return preparation is important. This is where the internship or volunteer work stands out on resumes. Tax law changes every year, so remembering what is in a textbook becomes obsolete year after year. Research skills are important for keeping up with the ever-changing tax law.
The profession is also changing so that tax accountants must have a working understanding of information security and maintaining client information confidentially. Data security is extremely important in the profession, and identity theft is very common in tax return preparation. Having some technical information systems and information security understanding is valuable to maintaining sensitive information.
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.
ProfessorSaint Cloud State University
Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Tax Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.: The first item to discuss here is 'big data,' which isn't exactly new but is definitely here to stay. By big data, I mean insurance companies are gathering a large amount of data on individuals and businesses alike and using the data to price insurance products. Insurers use multiple credit report variables, make and model of a car, length of commute, and many other data points to price their products. A consumer's first thought might be, "How is my credit report indicative of my driving?" The answer is the insurers have discovered the credit report variables help them determine the probability of someone filing a claim.
The second item to discuss here, the developing area known as 'insuretech.' Insuretech can be described as the technology being developed to make insurance methods more efficient. For example, maybe Uber and Lyft drivers can buy insurance on a per-ride basis. If developed, such transactions might take place multiple times a day. The coverage purchased more closely matches the exposure. Another example, which is already found a place in the market, is devices installed in cars to monitor insureds driving habits. I think smartphones can be used for this as well. The purpose is, again, to more closely match exposure risk to price. I suspect there are many insuretech ideas out there that I haven't even heard of.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Senior Tax Managers in the next 5 years?
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.: I think the demand for risk management and insurance graduates will increase in the next five years. Economic activity is the main driver of insurance demand. The more businesses, the more goods and services being produced, the more wealth is accumulated, the greater the demand for insurance of all types. Individuals and businesses want to protect their property and income flow from direct loss, lawsuits, untimely poor health, and death.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Tax Manager job market given the pandemic?
Todd Weninman: The big challenge for students graduating in 2020 is that public accounting firms (the most common path of entry in to the field) reduce their hiring classes during economic downturns, so there are just fewer opportunities to go around. That means that some students will have to get a little creative with the start of their career. I would look for any roles related to audit/accounting or in IT for those looking to pursue an IT audit career, so that you are still doing work related to the field, and then try to transition into public accounting a year or so down the road. Contract engagements or temporary work in accounting or IT-related areas can also be a way to get your feet wet in the field. This would also be a great time to study and sit for the CPA, CISA or other key certifications, or to take some grad-level coursework. The good news is that the accounting/audit professions are doing very well, and if you can get your foot in the door, a couple years down the road, companies will be fighting over you.