Data Scientists vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $62,030 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 122.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $30,500 | +$33,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $37,750 | +$44,880 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $50,560 | +$62,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $75,590 | +$80,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $96,240 | +$98,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $58,860 | +$65,730 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Tax Preparers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $62,030 (122.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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