Civil Engineers vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $40,060 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 67.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $34,490 | +$31,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $44,180 | +$34,610 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $59,530 | +$40,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $77,410 | +$50,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $101,330 | +$59,660 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $63,890 | +$43,160 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Firefighters?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,060 (67.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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