Firefighters vs Information Security Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn $65,380 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 109.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $186,420 for Information Security Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Information Security Analysts$69,660 – $186,420
$34,490$186,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Information Security Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $69,660 | $-35,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $92,160 | $-47,980 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $124,910 | $-65,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $159,600 | $-82,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $186,420 | $-85,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $127,730 | $-63,840 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Information Security Analysts
179,430
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 Information Security Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $175,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,160 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,660 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $138,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,380 (109.8% 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 Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts salaries range from $69,660 (10th percentile) to $186,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $124,910.
How many Firefighters and Information Security Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 179,430 Information Security Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Information Security Analysts to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Information Security Analysts earns $124,910. 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