Firefighters vs Tax Preparers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Firefighters professionals earn $8,970 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 17.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$101,330
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $30,500 | +$3,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $37,750 | +$6,430 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $50,560 | +$8,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $75,590 | +$1,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $96,240 | +$5,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $58,860 | +$5,030 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
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 Tax Preparers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,990 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $68,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Tax Preparers?
Firefighters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,970 (17.7% 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 Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers salaries range from $30,500 (10th percentile) to $96,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,560.
How many Firefighters and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Tax Preparers earns $50,560. 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