Loan Officers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Loan Officers professionals earn $23,620 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 46.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Loan Officers earns $145,780 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Loan Officers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,490 | $30,500 | +$7,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,460 | $37,750 | +$12,710 |
| Median (50th) | $74,180 | $50,560 | +$23,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,920 | $75,590 | +$26,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,780 | $96,240 | +$49,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $86,020 | $58,860 | +$27,160 |
Employment Numbers
Loan Officers
290,530
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
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: Loan Officers or Tax Preparers?
Loan Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,620 (46.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
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 Loan Officers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 290,530 Loan Officers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Loan Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Loan Officers has a median salary of $74,180 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