Electrical Engineers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $61,350 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 121.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $30,500 | +$44,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $37,750 | +$49,840 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $50,560 | +$61,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $75,590 | +$66,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $96,240 | +$79,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $58,860 | +$62,120 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Tax Preparers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $61,350 (121.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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