Accountants and Auditors vs Electrical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $30,230 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 37.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$52,780$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $74,670 | $-21,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $87,590 | $-22,930 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $111,910 | $-30,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $141,630 | $-35,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $175,460 | $-34,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $120,980 | $-27,460 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
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 Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,230 (37.0% 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 Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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