A side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training to help you choose between becoming a firefighter and a police officer.
| Firefighter | Police Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median salary | $59,530 | $77,270 |
| Typical salary range | $60,000-$101,000 | $77,000-$120,000 |
| Job growth (2024–34) | 3% | 3% |
| Time to job-ready | 3-6 months academy | 6 months academy |
| Typical training cost | Often paid (earn while you train) | Often paid (earn while you train) |
Police Officer has the higher BLS median wage ($77,270), while Firefighter gets you earning faster (3-6 months academy). Your degree is an advantage in either — use the quiz to see which fits your background, or run both through the ROI calculator against your student loans.
Median wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Training costs and timelines are typical estimates. Data last updated June 2026.