Budget Analysts vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $37,370 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 73.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $30,500 | +$30,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $37,750 | +$34,490 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $50,560 | +$37,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $75,590 | +$34,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $96,240 | +$38,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $58,860 | +$35,060 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
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: Budget Analysts or Tax Preparers?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,370 (73.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
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 Budget Analysts and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 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