Firefighters vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $24,950 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 72.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $25,600 | +$8,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $29,140 | +$15,040 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $34,580 | +$24,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $37,850 | +$39,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $47,930 | +$53,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $37,150 | +$26,740 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Retail Salespersons?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,950 (72.2% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Firefighters and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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