Firefighters vs Social and Community Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Social and Community Service Managers professionals earn $18,710 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 31.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $129,820 for Social and Community Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Social and Community Service Managers$50,020 – $129,820
$34,490$129,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Social and Community Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $50,020 | $-15,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $62,420 | $-18,240 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $78,240 | $-18,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $100,600 | $-23,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $129,820 | $-28,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $86,100 | $-22,210 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Social and Community Service Managers
195,490
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 Social and Community Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $104,410 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $101,210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $98,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Social and Community Service Managers?
Social and Community Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,710 (31.4% 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 Social and Community Service Managers?
Social and Community Service Managers salaries range from $50,020 (10th percentile) to $129,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,240.
How many Firefighters and Social and Community Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 195,490 Social and Community Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Social and Community Service Managers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Social and Community Service Managers earns $78,240. 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