Industrial Engineers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $50,580 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 100.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $30,500 | +$39,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $37,750 | +$44,160 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $50,560 | +$50,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $75,590 | +$51,890 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $96,240 | +$60,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $58,860 | +$49,040 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
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: Industrial Engineers or Tax Preparers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,580 (100.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
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 Industrial Engineers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 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