Software Developers vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $82,520 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 163.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Software Developers | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,850 | $30,500 | +$49,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,050 | $37,750 | +$65,300 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | $50,560 | +$82,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $75,590 | +$93,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,450 | $96,240 | +$115,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $144,570 | $58,860 | +$85,710 |
Employment Numbers
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
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: Software Developers or Tax Preparers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $82,520 (163.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
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 Software Developers and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 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