Firefighters vs Training and Development Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn $6,320 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 10.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$34,490$120,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $37,510 | $-3,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $48,900 | $-4,720 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $65,850 | $-6,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $91,550 | $-14,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $120,190 | $-18,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $73,760 | $-9,870 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
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 Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,320 (10.6% 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 Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Firefighters and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. 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