Accountants and Auditors vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $31,120 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 61.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $30,500 | +$22,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $37,750 | +$26,910 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $50,560 | +$31,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $75,590 | +$30,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $96,240 | +$45,180 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $58,860 | +$34,660 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
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 Tax Preparers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,990 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $68,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Tax Preparers?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,120 (61.6% 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 Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers salaries range from $30,500 (10th percentile) to $96,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,560.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Tax Preparers earns $50,560. 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