National Salary Overview
VS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median Salary
$74,180
Average (Mean)
$75,124
Employed Nationwide
670,500
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $16,629 more (28.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$57,551
$74,180
Average (Mean) Salary
$59,079
$75,124
Total Employment
343,370
670,500
States with Higher Pay
1
49
Salary by State: Firefighters vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Firefighters pays more in 1 states; Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 49.
| State | Firefighters | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,600 | $51,270 | $-3,670 | ||
| Alaska | $58,830 | $99,130 | $-40,300 | ||
| Arizona | $59,280 | $78,880 | $-19,600 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,690 | $47,670 | $-7,980 | ||
| California | $85,120 | $118,880 | $-33,760 | ||
| Colorado | $74,170 | $97,350 | $-23,180 | ||
| Connecticut | $77,630 | $82,170 | $-4,540 | ||
| Delaware | $46,710 | $92,970 | $-46,260 | ||
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | $88,650 | $-12,780 | ||
| Florida | $58,550 | $74,470 | $-15,920 | ||
| Georgia | $46,550 | $58,120 | $-11,570 | ||
| Idaho | $47,320 | $66,990 | $-19,670 | ||
| Illinois | $78,380 | $100,520 | $-22,140 | ||
| Indiana | $62,780 | $73,370 | $-10,590 | ||
| Iowa | $55,810 | $74,470 | $-18,660 | ||
| Kansas | $45,900 | $59,230 | $-13,330 | ||
| Kentucky | $37,150 | $60,490 | $-23,340 | ||
| Louisiana | $33,120 | $48,380 | $-15,260 | ||
| Maine | $48,290 | $67,050 | $-18,760 | ||
| Maryland | $73,810 | $77,970 | $-4,160 | ||
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | $78,940 | $-6,140 | ||
| Michigan | $54,640 | $73,730 | $-19,090 | ||
| Minnesota | $38,110 | $83,360 | $-45,250 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,880 | $46,140 | $-10,260 | ||
| Missouri | $49,080 | $59,460 | $-10,380 | ||
| Montana | $59,310 | $70,050 | $-10,740 | ||
| Nebraska | $61,040 | $74,620 | $-13,580 | ||
| Nevada | $66,570 | $78,140 | $-11,570 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,620 | $71,640 | $-15,020 | ||
| New Jersey | $84,130 | $92,610 | $-8,480 | ||
| New Mexico | $41,590 | $69,180 | $-27,590 | ||
| New York | $100,960 | $92,790 | +$8,170 | ||
| North Carolina | $37,940 | $59,300 | $-21,360 | ||
| North Dakota | $55,080 | $74,500 | $-19,420 | ||
| Ohio | $59,370 | $77,020 | $-17,650 | ||
| Oklahoma | $49,710 | $59,700 | $-9,990 | ||
| Oregon | $70,900 | $88,140 | $-17,240 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $85,470 | $-12,010 | ||
| Rhode Island | $67,380 | $77,230 | $-9,850 | ||
| South Carolina | $42,570 | $58,070 | $-15,500 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,160 | $60,740 | $-12,580 | ||
| Tennessee | $49,300 | $59,280 | $-9,980 | ||
| Texas | $60,180 | $75,900 | $-15,720 | ||
| Utah | $48,310 | $77,310 | $-29,000 | ||
| Vermont | $46,430 | $68,910 | $-22,480 | ||
| Virginia | $58,670 | $65,870 | $-7,200 | ||
| Washington | $94,520 | $102,080 | $-7,560 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,350 | $56,960 | $-19,610 | ||
| Wisconsin | $46,850 | $78,090 | $-31,240 | ||
| Wyoming | $58,090 | $66,140 | $-8,050 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Firefighters vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Firefighters or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
On average across all states, a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns more than a Firefighters. The national median salary difference is $16,629 (28.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Firefighters earn more than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
A Firefighters earns a higher median salary than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in 1 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 49 states.
What is the median salary for a Firefighters vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
The national median salary for a Firefighters is $57,551 per year, compared to $74,180 for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Firefighters or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
There are more people employed as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. BLS reports approximately 343,370 Firefighters positions and 670,500 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Firefighters or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Both Firefighters and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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