Firefighters vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $13,380 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 22.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$34,490$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $45,440 | $-10,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $55,870 | $-11,690 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $72,910 | $-13,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $97,270 | $-19,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $126,540 | $-25,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $79,730 | $-15,840 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,380 (22.5% 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 Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Firefighters and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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