Accountants and Auditors vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $19,070 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 23.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$52,780$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $59,830 | $-7,050 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $76,950 | $-12,290 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $100,750 | $-19,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $131,660 | $-25,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $165,790 | $-24,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $108,100 | $-14,580 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,070 (23.3% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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