Firefighters vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $8,530 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 16.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $38,130 | $-3,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $45,580 | $-1,400 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $51,000 | +$8,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $61,610 | +$15,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $75,850 | +$25,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $55,100 | +$8,790 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $63,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,530 (16.7% 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Firefighters and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. 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