Accountants and Auditors vs Financial Risk Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn $24,320 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 29.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $182,310 for Financial Risk Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Financial Risk Specialists$62,270 – $182,310
$52,780$182,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Financial Risk Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $62,270 | $-9,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $80,280 | $-15,620 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $106,000 | $-24,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $145,020 | $-38,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $182,310 | $-40,890 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $119,930 | $-26,410 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Financial Risk Specialists
56,320
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 Financial Risk Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $141,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $140,050 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,750 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,320 (29.8% 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 Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists salaries range from $62,270 (10th percentile) to $182,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,000.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Financial Risk Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 56,320 Financial Risk Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Risk Specialists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Financial Risk Specialists earns $106,000. 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