Firefighters vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $101,650 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 170.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$34,490$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $79,830 | $-45,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $114,110 | $-69,930 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $161,180 | $-101,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $214,820 | $-137,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $173,500 | $-109,610 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $101,650 (170.8% 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Firefighters and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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