Firefighters vs Fundraisers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Fundraisers professionals earn $6,960 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 11.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $106,960 for Fundraisers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Fundraisers$43,200 – $106,960
$34,490$106,960
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Fundraisers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $43,200 | $-8,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $52,590 | $-8,410 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $66,490 | $-6,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $85,280 | $-7,870 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $106,960 | $-5,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $73,130 | $-9,240 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Fundraisers
105,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Fundraisers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $90,850 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,670 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Fundraisers?
Fundraisers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,960 (11.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Fundraisers?
Fundraisers salaries range from $43,200 (10th percentile) to $106,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $66,490.
How many Firefighters and Fundraisers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 105,930 Fundraisers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fundraisers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Fundraisers earns $66,490. 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