Accountants and Auditors vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $30,910 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 37.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$52,780$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $63,650 | $-10,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $82,630 | $-17,970 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $112,590 | $-30,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $155,810 | $-49,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $194,410 | $-52,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $124,590 | $-31,070 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,910 (37.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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