Tax Guides by Profession
Find tax guides tailored to your profession — key deductions, typical tax breakdowns, and relevant calculators for your specific situation.
Accountants
Typical salary: $79,880
Accountants earn a median salary of $79,880. CPAs and self-employed accountants have significant professional expense deductions, and those who prepare taxes for others face unique considerations around their own tax filings.
View guide →Architects
Typical salary: $93,310
Architects earn a median salary of $93,310. Self-employed architects and firm owners have broad business deductions, while all architects carry continuing education and licensing costs.
View guide →Construction Workers
Typical salary: $48,210
Construction workers earn a median salary of $48,210. Those who work multiple job sites have significant travel and equipment deductions, particularly if self-employed or working as independent contractors.
View guide →Consultants
Typical salary: $99,410
Consultants earn a median salary of $99,410. Self-employed consultants enjoy broad business deductions but must manage self-employment tax, quarterly payments, and entity structure decisions.
View guide →Dentists
Typical salary: $166,300
Dentists earn a median salary of $166,300. Practice owners face self-employment tax and can leverage significant business deductions for equipment, staff, and continuing education.
View guide →Doctors
Typical salary: $229,300
Physicians earn a median salary of $229,300. High income means exposure to the top tax brackets, AMT, NIIT, and phase-outs of deductions and credits.
View guide →Electricians
Typical salary: $61,590
Electricians earn a median salary of $61,590. Both employed and self-employed electricians have meaningful deductions for tools, vehicles, and professional costs.
View guide →Financial Advisors
Typical salary: $99,580
Financial advisors earn a median salary of $99,580. Independent advisors face self-employment tax and must manage client entertainment rules, while all advisors carry licensing and CE obligations.
View guide →Firefighters
Typical salary: $57,120
Firefighters earn a median salary of $57,120. They may qualify for the public safety officer health insurance deduction and often have access to 457(b) deferred compensation plans.
View guide →First Responders
Typical salary: $58,000
Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs may qualify for special tax provisions including the public safety officer health insurance deduction.
View guide →Freelancers
Typical salary: $65,000
Freelancers face unique tax challenges including self-employment tax, quarterly payments, and tracking business deductions.
View guide →Gig Workers
Typical salary: $42,000
Gig workers (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart) are independent contractors who must track mileage, pay self-employment tax, and make quarterly payments.
View guide →Hair Stylists
Typical salary: $35,080
Hair stylists earn a median salary of $35,080. Many work as booth renters or independent contractors, making self-employment tax planning and business deductions essential.
View guide →Lawyers
Typical salary: $145,760
Lawyers face high marginal tax rates and should consider retirement maximization, student loan strategies, and state tax planning.
View guide →Mechanics
Typical salary: $47,930
Auto mechanics earn a median salary of $47,930. Self-employed mechanics running their own shops have significant deductions for tools, equipment, and shop expenses.
View guide →Military Service Members
Typical salary: $45,000
Military members receive special tax treatment including tax-free combat zone pay, housing allowances (BAH), and the ability to maintain state residency.
View guide →Nurses
Typical salary: $89,010
Registered nurses (RNs) earn a median salary of $89,010. Key tax considerations include shift differentials, continuing education deductions, and uniform expenses.
View guide →Personal Trainers
Typical salary: $46,480
Personal trainers earn a median salary of $46,480. Many work as independent contractors, making self-employment tax management and business deductions critical to their tax planning.
View guide →Pharmacists
Typical salary: $136,030
Pharmacists earn a median salary of $136,030. High income means exposure to upper tax brackets, and pharmacy owners have additional self-employment and business deductions.
View guide →Photographers
Typical salary: $40,760
Photographers earn a median salary of $40,760. Most work as self-employed freelancers, making business deductions for equipment, travel, and studio space essential to reducing tax liability.
View guide →Physical Therapists
Typical salary: $99,710
Physical therapists earn a median salary of $99,710. Those in private practice have significant business deductions, while all PTs face continuing education requirements that carry tax implications.
View guide →Pilots
Typical salary: $148,900
Airline and commercial pilots earn a median salary of $148,900. Key tax considerations include per diem allowances, layover expenses, and managing income across multiple state jurisdictions.
View guide →Plumbers
Typical salary: $61,550
Plumbers earn a median salary of $61,550. Self-employed plumbers have significant deductions for tools, vehicles, and licensing, while journeyman and master plumber certifications carry ongoing costs.
View guide →Police Officers
Typical salary: $74,910
Police officers earn a median salary of $74,910. Law enforcement personnel benefit from the public safety officer health insurance deduction and often have pension and 457(b) plan access.
View guide →Real Estate Agents
Typical salary: $56,620
Real estate agents earn a median of $56,620, though income varies widely. Most agents are independent contractors subject to self-employment tax.
View guide →Remote Workers
Typical salary: $78,000
Remote workers face state tax complexity when working from a different state than their employer, plus potential home office benefits for contractors.
View guide →Restaurant Workers
Typical salary: $35,000
Restaurant workers must report all tip income and may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit at lower income levels.
View guide →Retirees
Typical salary: $55,000
Retirees navigate taxation of Social Security, Required Minimum Distributions, pension income, and investment withdrawals.
View guide →Small Business Owners
Typical salary: $85,000
Small business owners navigate pass-through taxation, self-employment tax, and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.
View guide →Social Workers
Typical salary: $58,380
Social workers earn a median salary of $58,380. Those working for government or nonprofit agencies may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and private practice social workers have self-employment deductions.
View guide →Software Engineers
Typical salary: $132,270
Software engineers earn a median salary of $132,270. Stock compensation (RSUs, ISOs) and remote work across state lines are key tax considerations.
View guide →Teachers
Typical salary: $63,645
Teachers earn a median salary of $63,645. The educator expense deduction allows teachers to deduct up to $300 of unreimbursed classroom supplies.
View guide →Truck Drivers
Typical salary: $54,320
Truck drivers earn a median salary of $54,320. Owner-operators have significant self-employment deductions including per diem, fuel, and vehicle expenses.
View guide →Veterinarians
Typical salary: $119,100
Veterinarians earn a median salary of $119,100. Practice owners have substantial business deductions while associate vets face high student loan burdens relative to income.
View guide →Web Developers
Typical salary: $85,660
Web developers earn a median salary of $85,660. Many work as freelancers or contractors, making home office deductions, equipment costs, and software subscriptions key tax considerations.
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