Firefighters vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn $840 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 1.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$34,490$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $36,390 | $-1,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $45,520 | $-1,340 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $60,370 | $-840 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $91,150 | $-13,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $135,660 | $-34,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $81,510 | $-17,620 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
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 Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $840 (1.4% 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 Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Firefighters and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
Career Resources
Career Change Resources
Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.
Professional Certifications
Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.
Online Degree Programs
Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.
Resume Writing Services
Get professional help crafting a standout resume.
Explore More
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS