Project Management Specialists vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $50,190 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 99.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Project Management Specialists earns $165,790 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Project Management Specialists | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59,830 | $30,500 | +$29,330 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,950 | $37,750 | +$39,200 |
| Median (50th) | $100,750 | $50,560 | +$50,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,660 | $75,590 | +$56,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,790 | $96,240 | +$69,550 |
| Mean (Average) | $108,100 | $58,860 | +$49,240 |
Employment Numbers
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
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: Project Management Specialists or Tax Preparers?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,190 (99.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
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 Project Management Specialists and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Project Management Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Project Management Specialists has a median salary of $100,750 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