Career comparison
Tax Examiner vs. Tax Preparer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Tax examiners earn more at the median ($62,370 vs. $54,920), while tax preparers usually get to work faster (1–3 months of tax training of training). Tax examiners review tax returns and collect taxes for federal, state and local governments. Tax preparers prepare income tax returns and help clients understand what they owe or get back.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Tax Examiner | Tax Preparer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,370 ($29.98/hr) | $54,920 ($26.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,000 – $114,550 | $33,760 – $99,270 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.0% (a projected decline) | +4.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 4,400 | 9,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4 years + agency training | 1–3 months of tax training |
| Key credential | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | IRS PTIN |
| Work setting | Tax examiners work in government offices, with field visits for some auditors and collectors.. | Tax preparers work in tax offices, accounting firms, retail kiosks and from home. |
What each job does
Tax Examiner
- Review tax returns for accuracy
- Audit individuals and businesses
- Contact taxpayers about issues
- Calculate taxes owed
- Set up payment plans
Tax Preparer
- Interview clients about income and life changes
- Gather and review tax documents
- Prepare returns in tax software
- Identify deductions and credits
- Check returns for accuracy
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, working with information, and working independently. They sit in different fields, community, social & government services and business & office, but share transferable skills such as integrity and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose tax examiner if…
- I’m good with numbers
- I like rules and details
- I want a stable government job
Choose tax preparer if…
- I like working with numbers and rules
- I’m detail-oriented
- I enjoy helping people with money questions
Still torn? Take the Tax Examiner fit quiz and the Tax Preparer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, tax examiner or tax preparer?
Tax Examiners earn more at the median: $62,370 versus $54,920 for tax preparers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Tax Preparers typically train faster (1–3 months of tax training) than tax examiners (4 years + agency training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects tax preparers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with -1.0% for tax examiners.