Home / Compare / Firefighters vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary comparison Firefighters vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2026) Firefighterss earn a median salary of $59,530/year, while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn $76,290/year - a difference of $16,760. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Firefighters
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median salary
$59,530
$76,290
Hourly rate
$28.62/hr
$36.68/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$34,490
$47,640
Senior level (90th %)
$101,330
$115,280
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
332,240
666,990
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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