Firefighters vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn $10,250 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 17.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$34,490$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $40,750 | $-6,260 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $51,970 | $-7,790 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $69,780 | $-10,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $95,940 | $-18,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $129,480 | $-28,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $80,310 | $-16,420 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,250 (17.2% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Firefighters and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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