Firefighters vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $73,550 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 123.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$34,490$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $79,850 | $-45,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $103,050 | $-58,870 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $133,080 | $-73,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $169,000 | $-91,590 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $211,450 | $-110,120 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $144,570 | $-80,680 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $73,550 (123.6% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Firefighters and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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