Insurance Underwriters vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $29,320 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 58.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $30,500 | +$21,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $37,750 | +$25,320 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $50,560 | +$29,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $75,590 | +$29,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $96,240 | +$41,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $58,860 | +$31,970 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
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: Insurance Underwriters or Tax Preparers?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,320 (58.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
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 Insurance Underwriters and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 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