Cooks, Restaurant vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Tax Preparers professionals earn $13,730 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 37.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$28,010$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $30,500 | $-2,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $37,750 | $-6,440 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $50,560 | $-13,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $75,590 | $-31,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $96,240 | $-48,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $58,860 | $-21,130 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,730 (37.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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