Firefighters vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $21,060 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 54.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $26,240 | +$8,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $31,310 | +$12,870 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $38,470 | +$21,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $51,930 | +$25,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $63,460 | +$37,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $44,930 | +$18,960 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,060 (54.7% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Firefighters and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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