Cooks, Restaurant vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $22,700 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 61.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$28,010$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $34,490 | $-6,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $44,180 | $-12,870 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $59,530 | $-22,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $77,410 | $-33,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $101,330 | $-53,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $63,890 | $-26,160 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
Best Cities for Firefighters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $121,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Firefighters?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,700 (61.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
What is the salary range for Firefighters?
Firefighters salaries range from $34,490 (10th percentile) to $101,330 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,530.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Firefighters earns $59,530. 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