$50,000 CD vs. $50,000 high-yield savings account: Here's which can earn more over the next year

Your $50,000 will grow differently in a CD than it will in a high-yield savings account over the next year. Getty Images/iStockphoto In the volatile economic terrain of recent years, saving a large, five-figure sum of money wasn't easily achievable for many. And it was especially difficult to do for those looking to build their savings account to a milestone of $50,000. No matter how that was accomplished, however, whether it be through small but consistent contributions, a tax refund, a big bonus or a combination of other factors, savers will now want to pivot to their next steps in the process. That involves both protecting that principal and growing it with one of today's elevated interest rates. Fortunately, there are two primary ways to do both. A certificate of deposit (CD) account , with a fixed interest rate often hovering above 4%, is one way. The other is with a high-yield savings account , which comes with a variable rate competitive with the top CDs, minus the accessibility restrictions that CD accounts require. To better determine the value each offers in today's economy, it helps to know the interest-earning potential of each over the next year. Below, we'll crunch the numbers that savers should know before getting started. See how much interest you could be earning with a top-rate CD account here . $50,000 CD vs. …