Accountants and Auditors vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $8,770 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 12.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $45,440 | +$7,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $55,870 | +$8,790 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $72,910 | +$8,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $97,270 | +$9,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $126,540 | +$14,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $79,730 | +$13,790 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Human Resources Specialists?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,770 (12.0% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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