Electrical Engineers vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $52,380 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 88.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $34,490 | +$40,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $44,180 | +$43,410 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $59,530 | +$52,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $77,410 | +$64,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $101,330 | +$74,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $63,890 | +$57,090 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Firefighters?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,380 (88.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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