Computer User Support Specialists vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer User Support Specialists professionals earn $9,780 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 19.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer User Support Specialists earns $98,010 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$98,010
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer User Support Specialists | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,780 | $30,500 | +$8,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,580 | $37,750 | +$9,830 |
| Median (50th) | $60,340 | $50,560 | +$9,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,010 | $75,590 | +$1,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,010 | $96,240 | +$1,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,990 | $58,860 | +$6,130 |
Employment Numbers
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
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 User Support Specialists or Tax Preparers?
Computer User Support Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,780 (19.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
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 User Support Specialists and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Computer User Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer User Support Specialists has a median salary of $60,340 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