Firefighters vs Labor Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn $33,970 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 57.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $153,440 for Labor Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
$34,490$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Labor Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $49,880 | $-15,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $67,670 | $-23,490 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $93,500 | $-33,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $123,090 | $-45,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $153,440 | $-52,110 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $97,130 | $-33,240 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
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 Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,970 (57.1% 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 Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
How many Firefighters and Labor Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Labor Relations Specialists to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Labor Relations Specialists earns $93,500. 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