Tax Preparers vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn $15,290 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 30.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Tax Preparers earns $96,240 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$30,500$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Tax Preparers | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $30,500 | $37,510 | $-7,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,750 | $48,900 | $-11,150 |
| Median (50th) | $50,560 | $65,850 | $-15,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,590 | $91,550 | $-15,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,240 | $120,190 | $-23,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,860 | $73,760 | $-14,900 |
Employment Numbers
Tax Preparers
73,570
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Tax Preparers or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,290 (30.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Tax Preparers and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 73,570 Tax Preparers positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists to Tax Preparers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Tax Preparers has a median salary of $50,560 while Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. 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