Firefighters vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn $22,790 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 38.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Firefighters earns $101,330 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$34,490$141,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Firefighters | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $34,490 | $58,370 | $-23,880 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,180 | $65,920 | $-21,740 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 | $82,320 | $-22,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,410 | $114,040 | $-36,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,330 | $141,870 | $-40,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,890 | $91,820 | $-27,930 |
Employment Numbers
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Firefighters or Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,790 (38.3% 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 Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Firefighters and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 332,240 Firefighters positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Firefighters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Firefighters has a median salary of $59,530 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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