Nurse Practitioners vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $78,650 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 155.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $30,500 | +$67,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $37,750 | +$72,190 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $50,560 | +$78,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $75,590 | +$73,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $96,240 | +$73,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $58,860 | +$73,140 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
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: Nurse Practitioners or Tax Preparers?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $78,650 (155.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
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 Nurse Practitioners and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 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