Retail Salespersons 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 $15,980 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 46.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Retail Salespersons earns $47,930 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$25,600$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Retail Salespersons | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $30,500 | $-4,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,140 | $37,750 | $-8,610 |
| Median (50th) | $34,580 | $50,560 | $-15,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,850 | $75,590 | $-37,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,930 | $96,240 | $-48,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,150 | $58,860 | $-21,710 |
Employment Numbers
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
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: Retail Salespersons or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,980 (46.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
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 Retail Salespersons and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Retail Salespersons?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Retail Salespersons has a median salary of $34,580 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