Human Resources Specialists vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $22,350 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 44.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $30,500 | +$14,940 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $37,750 | +$18,120 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $50,560 | +$22,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $75,590 | +$21,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $96,240 | +$30,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $58,860 | +$20,870 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Tax Preparers?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,350 (44.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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