Firefighters vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals earn $37,270 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 62.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$34,490$150,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $60,320 | $-25,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $75,860 | $-31,680 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $96,800 | $-37,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $123,390 | $-45,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $150,320 | $-48,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $101,190 | $-37,300 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,270 (62.6% 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Firefighters and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. 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