Engineers, All Other vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $58,220 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 97.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $34,490 | +$28,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $44,180 | +$41,570 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $59,530 | +$58,220 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $77,410 | +$75,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $101,330 | +$82,180 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $63,890 | +$57,830 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Firefighters?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $58,220 (97.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
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 Engineers, All Other and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Engineers, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Engineers, All Other has a median salary of $117,750 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