Lawyers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $100,600 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 199.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $30,500 | +$42,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $37,750 | +$62,010 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $50,560 | +$100,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $75,590 | +$139,830 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $96,240 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $58,860 | +$123,900 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
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: Lawyers or Tax Preparers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $100,600 (199.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
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 Lawyers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 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