Firefighters vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $41,610 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 69.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$34,490$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $70,000 | $-35,510 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $81,910 | $-37,730 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $101,140 | $-41,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $127,480 | $-50,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $157,140 | $-55,810 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $107,900 | $-44,010 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,610 (69.9% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Firefighters and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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