Firefighters vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $16,760 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 28.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$34,490$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $47,640 | $-13,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $58,980 | $-14,800 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $76,290 | $-16,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $97,190 | $-19,780 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $115,280 | $-13,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $79,320 | $-15,430 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,760 (28.2% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Firefighters and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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