Firefighters vs Loan Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Loan Officers professionals earn $14,650 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 24.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $145,780 for Loan Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
$34,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Loan Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $38,490 | $-4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $50,460 | $-6,280 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $74,180 | $-14,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $101,920 | $-24,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $145,780 | $-44,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $86,020 | $-22,130 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Loan Officers
290,530
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 Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Loan Officers?
Loan Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,650 (24.6% 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 Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
How many Firefighters and Loan Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 290,530 Loan Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Loan Officers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Loan Officers earns $74,180. 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