Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 $12,090 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 31.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $63,460 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$26,240$96,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $26,240 | $30,500 | $-4,260 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $37,750 | $-6,440 |
| Median (50th) | $38,470 | $50,560 | $-12,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,930 | $75,590 | $-23,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,460 | $96,240 | $-32,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,930 | $58,860 | $-13,930 |
Employment Numbers
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
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: Substitute Teachers, Short-Term or Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,090 (31.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term has a median salary of $38,470 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