Office Clerks, General 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 $6,930 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 15.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Office Clerks, General earns $63,840 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$29,120$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Office Clerks, General | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,120 | $30,500 | $-1,380 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,350 | $37,750 | $-2,400 |
| Median (50th) | $43,630 | $50,560 | $-6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,560 | $75,590 | $-23,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,840 | $96,240 | $-32,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $45,470 | $58,860 | $-13,390 |
Employment Numbers
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
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: Office Clerks, General or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,930 (15.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
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 Office Clerks, General and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Office Clerks, General?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Office Clerks, General has a median salary of $43,630 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