Firefighters vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $15,330 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 34.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $35,020 | $-530 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $37,610 | +$6,570 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $44,200 | +$15,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $48,160 | +$29,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $57,830 | +$43,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $44,720 | +$19,170 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Medical Assistants?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,330 (34.7% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Firefighters and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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