Compliance Officers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $27,860 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 55.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $30,500 | +$15,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $37,750 | +$21,380 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $50,560 | +$27,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $75,590 | +$29,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $96,240 | +$33,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $58,860 | +$26,120 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
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: Compliance Officers or Tax Preparers?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,860 (55.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
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 Compliance Officers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 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