Pharmacy Technicians vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Tax Preparers professionals earn $7,100 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 16.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Pharmacy Technicians earns $59,450 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Pharmacy Technicians | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,100 | $30,500 | +$4,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,920 | $37,750 | $-830 |
| Median (50th) | $43,460 | $50,560 | $-7,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,580 | $75,590 | $-27,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,450 | $96,240 | $-36,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,800 | $58,860 | $-14,060 |
Employment Numbers
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
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: Pharmacy Technicians or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,100 (16.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
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 Pharmacy Technicians and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Pharmacy Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Pharmacy Technicians has a median salary of $43,460 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