A side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training to help you choose between becoming a plumber and a firefighter.
| Plumber | Firefighter | |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median salary | $62,970 | $59,530 |
| Typical salary range | $63,000-$105,000 | $60,000-$101,000 |
| Job growth (2024–34) | 4% | 3% |
| Time to job-ready | 4-5 years apprenticeship | 3-6 months academy |
| Typical training cost | Often paid (earn while you train) | Often paid (earn while you train) |
Plumber has the higher BLS median wage ($62,970), while Firefighter gets you earning faster (3-6 months academy). Plumber has the stronger projected job growth (4% through 2034). 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.