Tax Preparers vs. Accountants and Auditors: Who Earns More?
Accountants and Auditors out-earn Tax Preparers by $29K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Tax Preparers land at $54,920 and Accountants and Auditors at $83,680. The education gap is real: tax preparer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while accountants and auditor programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Tax Preparers is New York ($71,850); for Accountants and Auditors it's District of Columbia ($111,530).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Tax Preparers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Tax Preparers or Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors earn more nationally. The median is $54,920 for Tax Preparers versus $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors, a difference of $29K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Tax Preparers or Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors has the better 10-year outlook at 4.6% projected growth, compared to 4.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Tax Preparers or Accountants and Auditors?
Tax Preparers typically requires bachelor's degree. Accountants and Auditors requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Tax Preparers get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Tax Preparers at $71,850/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Tax Preparers vs. Accountants and Auditors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Tax Preparers earn $71,850 vs. $102,640 for Accountants and Auditors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.