Firefighters vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Graphic Designers professionals earn $1,770 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 3.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$34,490$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $37,600 | $-3,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $47,200 | $-3,020 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $61,300 | $-1,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $79,000 | $-1,590 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $103,030 | $-1,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $68,610 | $-4,720 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,770 (3.0% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Firefighters and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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