Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Tax Preparers professionals earn $20,080 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 65.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$22,620$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $30,500 | $-7,880 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $37,750 | $-10,600 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $50,560 | $-20,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $75,590 | $-40,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $96,240 | $-57,440 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $58,860 | $-27,510 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
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: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,080 (65.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 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