Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $960 more per year than Child, Family, and School Social Workers professionals — that's 1.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $94,030 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$40,580 – $94,030
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,580 | $34,490 | +$6,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,480 | $44,180 | +$3,300 |
| Median (50th) | $58,570 | $59,530 | $-960 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,060 | $77,410 | $-3,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,030 | $101,330 | $-7,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,920 | $63,890 | $-970 |
Employment Numbers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
382,960
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Child, Family, and School Social Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $80,280 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,700 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,780 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,530 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Firefighters?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $960 (1.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salaries range from $40,580 (10th percentile) to $94,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $58,570.
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.
How many Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 382,960 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Child, Family, and School Social Workers has a median salary of $58,570 while Firefighters earns $59,530. 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