Firefighters vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $42,790 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 71.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$34,490$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $68,740 | $-34,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $81,800 | $-37,620 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $102,320 | $-42,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $130,290 | $-52,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $161,240 | $-59,910 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $110,080 | $-46,190 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
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 Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,790 (71.9% 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Firefighters and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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