Firefighters vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $34,070 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 57.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$34,490$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $66,030 | $-31,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $78,610 | $-34,430 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $93,600 | $-34,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $107,960 | $-30,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $135,320 | $-33,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $98,430 | $-34,540 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,070 (57.2% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Firefighters and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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