Carpenters vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $8,750 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 17.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $30,500 | +$8,260 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $37,750 | +$9,800 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $50,560 | +$8,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $75,590 | +$30 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $96,240 | +$2,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $58,860 | +$5,180 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Tax Preparers?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,750 (17.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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