Firefighters vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $91,630 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 153.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $72,780 | $-38,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $99,760 | $-55,580 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $151,160 | $-91,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $215,420 | $-138,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $182,760 | $-118,870 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
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 Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $91,630 (153.9% 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 Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
How many Firefighters and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Lawyers earns $151,160. 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