Accountants and Auditors vs Carpenters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $22,370 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 37.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $98,370 for Carpenters.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
$38,760$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Carpenters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $38,760 | +$14,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $47,550 | +$17,110 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $59,310 | +$22,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $75,620 | +$30,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $98,370 | +$43,050 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $64,040 | +$29,480 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Carpenters?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,370 (37.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Carpenters jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 697,740 Carpenters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Carpenters to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Carpenters earns $59,310. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS