How to Become a State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager in 2025

As a State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager, you specialize in managing the complex web of tax obligations across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance while minimizing liabilities. Your core focus is navigating state and local income, franchise, sales, use, and property taxes for businesses operating in diverse regions. This isn’t just about filing paperwork—it’s about interpreting laws, shaping strategies, and protecting companies from financial risks tied to noncompliance. For example, you might analyze how a new law in California impacts a company’s sales tax obligations or determine whether expanding into Texas triggers nexus requirements.

Your daily work involves five key areas: compliance, audits, planning, process improvement, and team leadership. You oversee tax return preparation (using tools like OneSource or Vertex), manage audits by responding to state notices or representing your company during disputes, and identify tax-saving opportunities through research. At a company like Kia, this could involve managing lemon law sales tax refund claims or optimizing apportionment rules to reduce liabilities. You’ll also streamline workflows by implementing tax automation software like Avalara and mentor junior staff on technical issues.

Success in this role requires sharp analytical skills to dissect tax codes and predict how legislative changes affect operations. Communication is critical—you’ll explain complex tax concepts to non-experts, negotiate with auditors, or draft protest letters during disputes. Leadership skills matter too, as you’ll guide teams through high-pressure deadlines, like quarterly tax payments or audit responses. According to Kia’s career portal, senior SALT Managers often earn between $105,533 and $146,709, reflecting the strategic value of this role.

You’ll typically work in corporate offices (like automotive or retail companies), public accounting firms, or consultancies. Collaboration is constant—expect to partner with finance teams to integrate tax data into ERP systems like SAP or advise legal teams on merger-related tax implications. The impact is tangible: your strategies can save companies six-figure sums annually, prevent penalties, and ensure smooth operations during audits. If you thrive on problem-solving, enjoy translating laws into actionable plans, and want a role where your decisions directly affect a company’s bottom line, this career offers both challenge and reward.

As a State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager, your salary will typically range between $112,852 and $167,918 annually, depending on experience. Entry-level roles start around $112,852 to $124,412 in high-cost areas like Washington, DC, based on Indeed data. Mid-career professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn $135,693 to $154,125 in cities like Chantilly, VA, according to Glassdoor. Senior-level roles in major metro areas can reach $183,858 with bonuses and profit-sharing.

Geographic location significantly impacts earnings. In Washington, DC, average base salaries range from $124,412 to $161,125, while North Carolina offers $138,975 to $157,507 for similar roles. Rural areas or states with lower tax complexity may pay 10-15% less than urban centers. Specializing in high-demand sectors like mergers & acquisitions or multistate compliance can add $15,000-$25,000 to your base pay.

Certifications directly boost earning potential. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license increases salaries by 8-12%, while a Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) credential adds 5-10%. Professionals with both certifications often earn 15-20% more than non-certified peers. Employers frequently offer bonuses of 10-20% of base salary, plus retirement contributions matching 4-6% of income and premium healthcare plans.

Salary growth typically follows a clear trajectory. Entry-level professionals see 3-5% annual increases, while mid-career jumps of 8-12% occur when moving to senior roles or switching employers. By 2030, demand for SALT Managers is projected to grow 7-9% annually due to increasing state tax complexity, potentially pushing top earners above $200,000 in high-cost markets. Those transitioning to executive roles like Tax Director can expect salaries exceeding $220,000 with equity incentives.

To pursue a career as a State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or taxation. These majors provide the technical foundation for interpreting tax codes and managing compliance. Employers like KPMG and Kia explicitly require accounting or related degrees for SALT roles. A master’s degree in taxation (MTax) or law (JD/LLM) with a tax focus strengthens your qualifications, particularly for senior positions. If your undergraduate degree isn’t in accounting, completing a post-baccalaureate certificate in taxation or enrolling in a Master of Accountancy program can bridge knowledge gaps.

Key coursework includes corporate taxation, state and local tax law, advanced accounting, and tax research methods. Classes covering multi-state apportionment rules, sales tax regulations, and tax controversy procedures are critical for handling audits and compliance. Develop technical skills in tax software like OneSource or Vertex through coursework, certifications, or on-the-job training.

Certifications significantly boost credibility. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is the most valuable credential, required by many firms for managerial roles. Enrolled Agent (EA) status or a Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (CMI) provides alternatives if you lack a CPA. Plan for 1-2 years to complete certification exams alongside work experience.

Entry-level positions typically require 1-2 years of tax experience in public accounting or corporate tax departments. Internships at Big 4 firms, regional accounting practices, or corporate tax teams provide hands-on exposure to state tax compliance and research. Look for roles involving sales tax filings, income tax provision support, or audit defense to build relevant skills.

Soft skills are equally important. Improve communication through client-facing roles or technical writing courses, as explaining complex tax concepts to non-experts is routine. Strengthen project management by leading small teams during internships or volunteer tax assistance programs.

Expect a 6-8 year timeline to reach a SALT Manager position: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 1-2 years for certifications or a master’s program, and 3-5 years gaining specialized tax experience. Senior roles often demand 8+ years of focused SALT expertise. Continuous learning through state tax seminars or industry groups like the Council On State Taxation ensures you stay current with regulatory changes.

As a State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager, you’ll operate in a job market shaped by shifting tax policies and growing regulatory demands. While formal federal projections aren’t available, demand remains steady with opportunities concentrated in regions like California, where platforms like Indeed list 35+ openings as of 2025. States facing budget pressures—including New York, Texas, and Illinois—also show strong hiring activity due to complex compliance needs. Industries like technology, manufacturing, and financial services drive demand, particularly as companies navigate interstate tax disputes and digital economy challenges.

Emerging niches offer growth potential. Specializing in pass-through entity (PTE) tax strategies could position you well, as states like New Jersey and Louisiana adapt workarounds to federal SALT deduction limits. Digital advertising tax disputes, highlighted in Grant Thornton’s 2025 predictions, create demand for experts in tech-centric tax compliance. Remote work taxation—especially “convenience of the employer” rules—is another hot-button area, with states like Ohio and Missouri likely to see increased litigation.

Technology reshapes the role, but won’t replace it. Tools like CCH and OneSource automate compliance tasks, freeing you to focus on strategic planning. However, interpreting AI-generated tax analyses and advising on cloud-based tax platforms are becoming core skills. Firms like Collective, which hires remote SALT Managers for tech-driven tax teams, prioritize candidates comfortable with digital workflows.

Career advancement often follows two paths: moving into executive roles (Tax Director, VP of Tax) or transitioning to consulting. Big Four firms and regional accounting networks like Grant Thornton regularly recruit experienced SALT Managers for client advisory roles. Related transitions include international tax management or forensic tax analysis, particularly as cross-border tax disputes rise.

Competition remains moderate but intensifies in major metros. Employers increasingly seek CPAs or EAs with 5+ years of multi-state experience. While opportunities exist, standing out requires niche expertise—like digital product taxation or post-Loper Bright regulatory interpretation—paired with soft skills in team leadership. Budget deficits in states like Maryland and Minnesota may tighten hiring temporarily, but long-term demand stays stable as tax complexity grows.

Your mornings often start with sorting through emails from clients, state tax authorities, and internal teams while reviewing priority lists. You might analyze a client’s payroll tax allocations across three states before lunch, using software like OneSource to model scenarios based on remote employee locations. Afternoons could involve preparing for an audit defense call with a Texas state auditor, verifying documentation for unclaimed property reports, or advising a manufacturing client on navigating New York’s “convenience of employer” rule. Hybrid schedules are common—you’ll spend 2-3 days weekly in an office collaborating with colleagues, with remote work focused on deep analysis tasks.

Work peaks during tax filing seasons and audit cycles, sometimes stretching to 50-hour weeks, but slower periods allow for flexible hours. Clients expect timely responses, so you’ll occasionally adjust your schedule for urgent calls about nexus risks or legislative changes. Collaboration is constant: you’ll brief attorneys on litigation risks, coordinate with payroll teams to fix withholding errors, and train junior staff on sales tax sourcing rules. Projects like voluntary disclosure agreements or restructuring plans for multistate businesses require cross-functional teamwork and clear communication with stakeholders.

The job balances problem-solving rewards with administrative demands. Helping a client recover $200K in overpaid sales taxes through multi-state exemptions feels impactful, but tracking 30+ jurisdictions’ compliance deadlines tests your organization skills. You’ll master tools like Bloomberg Tax for research and Alteryx for data analysis, though adapting to new state e-filing portals remains a pain point. Hybrid work reduces commute stress but requires discipline—switching off after evening emails about a pending California audit can be tough.

Major challenges include decoding conflicting state rules (like varying thresholds for remote worker withholding) and defending aggressive audit positions. A 2025 industry survey notes 42% of SALT professionals spend 10+ hours weekly resolving compliance gaps from dispersed workforces. The most satisfying moments come from creating order in chaos—like designing a tracking system for a client’s hybrid workforce that prevents future nexus surprises, or mentoring a team member through their first unclaimed property audit.