Firefighters vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $2,090 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 3.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $38,640 | $-4,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $47,230 | $-3,050 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $57,440 | +$2,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $65,520 | +$11,890 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $78,800 | +$22,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $58,400 | +$5,490 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
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 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,090 (3.6% 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 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries range from $38,640 (10th percentile) to $78,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $57,440.
How many Firefighters and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $57,440. 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