Firefighters vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $43,080 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 72.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $60,690 | $-26,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $79,520 | $-35,340 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $102,610 | $-43,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $131,870 | $-54,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $166,960 | $-65,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $110,260 | $-46,370 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Firefighters?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS