Information Security Analysts vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn $74,350 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 147.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Information Security Analysts earns $186,420 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Information Security Analysts$69,660 – $186,420
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$186,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Information Security Analysts | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $69,660 | $30,500 | +$39,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,160 | $37,750 | +$54,410 |
| Median (50th) | $124,910 | $50,560 | +$74,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,600 | $75,590 | +$84,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $186,420 | $96,240 | +$90,180 |
| Mean (Average) | $127,730 | $58,860 | +$68,870 |
Employment Numbers
Information Security Analysts
179,430
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Information Security Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $175,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,160 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,660 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $138,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,360 |
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: Information Security Analysts or Tax Preparers?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,350 (147.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts salaries range from $69,660 (10th percentile) to $186,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $124,910.
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 Information Security Analysts and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 179,430 Information Security Analysts positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Information Security Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Information Security Analysts has a median salary of $124,910 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