Firefighters vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $3,440 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 5.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$34,490$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $40,670 | $-6,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $48,860 | $-4,680 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $62,970 | $-3,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $81,900 | $-4,490 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $105,150 | $-3,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $69,940 | $-6,050 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,440 (5.8% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Firefighters and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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