Firefighters vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $69,680 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 117.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$34,490$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $97,960 | $-63,470 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $109,940 | $-65,760 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $129,210 | $-69,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $149,570 | $-72,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $169,950 | $-68,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $132,000 | $-68,110 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
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 Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $69,680 (117.1% 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Firefighters and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. 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