Firefighters vs Human Resources Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $80,500 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 135.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Human Resources Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $83,790 | $-49,300 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $105,590 | $-61,410 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $140,030 | $-80,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $189,960 | $-112,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $160,480 | $-96,590 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Human Resources Managers
215,520
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 Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $80,500 (135.2% 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 Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
How many Firefighters and Human Resources Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Managers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Human Resources Managers earns $140,030. 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