Computer Hardware Engineers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $104,460 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 206.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $30,500 | +$54,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $37,750 | +$77,750 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $50,560 | +$104,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $75,590 | +$109,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $96,240 | +$127,580 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $58,860 | +$97,910 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
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: Computer Hardware Engineers or Tax Preparers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $104,460 (206.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
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 Computer Hardware Engineers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 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