It may not happen often (hopefully not ever) but people shoot at police officers and that is a very real risk. Firefighter lieutenants in the Chicago metropolitan area lead all other U.S. cities in earnings with an hourly wage of $49.78 per hour, which amounts to an annual salary of $103,540. Also read: What Is The Role Of A First Responder? For example, firefighters tend to work 10- to 24-hour shifts where they may need to take off to a scene at any time, and they have to wear heavy gear to protect themselves at work. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',144,'0','0']));In this article, we will compare firefighting and police work as career choices. You have to be able to support your family and know what kind of lifestyle you can expect based on the job path you choose. 0 0. This can include the dangers of going into burning buildings, working a car accident on a busy freeway, or other situations that have the potential for traumatic accidents. The 1,459 firefighter salaries PayScale collected showed lower average wages of $40,972 with less than a year of experience, $41,698 with one to four years, $48,104 with five to nine years, $56,477 with 10 to 19 years and $70,631 with 20 years or more. The report found that sworn Los Angeles Fire and Los Angeles Police department employees earned 77% of all the city's overtime dollars, largely because their thin staffing require overtime. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. You can check with your local departments about doing a ride-along with both a police officer and firefighters, to help determine what the job is actually like and which is better for you. Unlike being a firefighter, when you are a cop, people aren’t always happy to see you. The average week is 56 hours per week. Here is a video that goes over salaries for different police positions: In general, there is much more competition to become a firefighter than to become a police officer. Police officers make a similar salary, but on average, it is a little bit higher than firefighters. At the federal level, firemen earned $48,990 a year while police made $51,590 annually. The less obvious risks are the exposure-related dangers. Firefighter Risk. Deciding which is right for you will depend on what you like to do and how you like to help people. Once on the job, they usually go through a period of working under close supervision until they demonstrate high proficiency. They are also responsible for reports. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. There were also positions in other areas of government. For example, in San Francisco, California, the average salary for firefighters is $86,000 per year and some firefighters make up to $208,000 or more! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for all firefighters in the United States was $45,250 as of May 2010. This is higher than the BLS’s own statistics on the median firefighter salary of $49,620. You are expected to maintain your composure, while handling whatever situation you encounter. “For each five year age category, from 25-85 years of age, police officers had a lower life expectancy than the U.S. population…”. The BLS mentions that turnover will add some police positions, but competition should still remain high. firefighters don’t have a shorter life expectancy than the average population, Do Firefighters Have a Shorter Life Expectancy? Thanks for coming to my site! Both cops and firefighters are necessary and very important when they are needed. They can join the firefighting occupation at age 18 versus 21 for police officers. Working as a police officer or firefighter involves handling stressful situations safely and facing physical risks during the workday. There are some cities that have contractual "parity" in police/fire salaries. Firefighter Salary. The police officer salary by state data listed California and Alaska as the states with the highest respective average wages of $105,220 and $87,870. Personality Quiz- Firefighter or Police Officer. This content may contain affiliate links to products and services (on Amazon or other sites) which may result in my earning commissions at no added cost to you. My name is Chase and I am a professional Firefighter/Engineer - Paramedic with a Fire Department in Northern California. Police usually work day or night shifts (10-12 hour shifts), usually 3-4 days a week. Imagine going to a call that turns out to be a drug lab, filled with dangerous chemicals. There's so much more info out there that can help you make a decision. Shift Schedules Examined. However, if there is someone shooting, the police are who you want. This article goes into more detail about firefighter risks and life expectancy: Do Firefighters Have a Shorter Life Expectancy? The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. Well, I doubt that I did these two careers justice with the small amount of info that I provided. I am passionate about helping to share what I have learned and assisting those who are pursuing a career as a firefighter. Keep reading for more information. The average Fire Fighter salary in California is $53,258 as of December 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $39,944 and $66,573. The BLS May 2019 salary data showed an average police officer wage of $67,600, with most wages ranging from $36,960 to $105,230. They may be hostile, aggressive and even violent towards you. Filter by location to see Firefighter salaries in your area. Firefighters are exposed to smoke, exhaust, chemicals, and other toxins from various sources. One potential reason for this is that we think there might be more interest in becoming a … 6.2 deaths per 100,000 Rushing into danger is part of the job description for first responders, such as firefighters and police officers. If there is a big fire or a serious medical emergency, the firefighter is better trained and equipped to handle it. We cannot guarantee any advice given on this site will lead to you getting hired as a firefighter or otherwise. Firefighters respond to fires, medical calls, car accidents, hazardous materials leaks, service calls, as well as many others. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. Topping the list is New York, with New Hampshire and Wyoming close behind in second and third. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Firefighting is increasingly a lucrative part-time job. Though the base salary for a firefighter in Canada isn’t likely to reach $100,000 (according to Service Canada the average income of a firefighter in Canada is $65,000), unusual working hours contribute to overtime earnings that can bump firefighters into the $100,000 club. A LA police officer makes much more money than a firefighter in most small communities. Aug 4, 2020 - Explore Dan Drew's board "Cops vs Firemen" on Pinterest. Though there have been great improvements in reducing these exposures over the years (with SCBAs, fire rehab, diesel exhaust cleaning/collection), it is still a very real risk. Numbers show that being a cop has become less dangerous over the years. Basically, whenever someone has an emergency or just needs help, but they aren’t sure who else to call, they send the firefighters. Both careers require extensive hands-on training and simulations of real-world emergencies. The left wants us to believe that paying for teachers, firefighters and police is a federal responsibility. Here is a list of averages by state. Police officers respond to disturbances (violence, threats), car accidents, drug-related incidents, intoxicated people, and other law violations. Both of them are now making about $100k a year plus very generous benefits and pensions. Wyoming beats the national average by 6.2%, and New York furthers that trend with another $8,481 (19.1%) above the $44,421. The average salary for a Firefighter/Paramedic is $59,507 per year in Colorado. I have been a Firefighter in Northern California since 2012 and a Paramedic since 2008. And that is probably one of the most common uses for this compressed gas, though it's not the only use. This shouldn’t affect which profession you choose, but it is something to be aware of. These careers require working in any kind of weather conditions, taking on overtime as needed and dealing with uncomfortable situations. … Career Change to Firefighter: What You Need to Know. How Much Money Does a Fire Fighter Make an Hour? Here is a list of state averages. Median Annual Salary: $49,080 ($23.60/hour) Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $83,570 ($40.18/hour) Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $24,490 ($11.77/hour) Using 2,031 self-reported police salaries in August 2020, PayScale mentioned that police officers earned on average $44,349 with less than a year of experience, $48,383 with one to four years, $52,409 with five to nine years, $60,783 with 10 to 19 years and $73,880 with 20 years or more of experience. Local crime rates can impact the demand for police, while budgets can lead to changes in both police and firefighter jobs. In any case, with extra time and occasion pay, which is frequently required, you can get about $3,704 in extra pay. How to Become a Firefighter: The Complete Guide. Salary: $37,333.44: Firefighter 2nd Year Estimated Annual Salary: $44,228.80 Police Officer vs. Firefighter Salary The BLS May 2019 salary data showed an average police officer wage of $67,600 , with most wages ranging from $36,960 to $105,230 . Firefighter/Paramedic Salary and Benefits Effective Sept. 1, 2020, starting salary for Firefighters is $44,700 per year. Here is a quiz that may help you determine if your personality is better suited to be a firefighter or police officer: Personality Quiz- Firefighter or Police Officer? They work on a crew of 3-5 people and respond on their apparatus (engine or truck). In 2013, there were roughly 627,000 police officers in the united states and 135 officers died in the line of duty. It has 15 significant structure-related fires a … This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They spend most of their shift patrolling in their car, by themselves or with a partner. See this article for a graph that depicts the decrease in police deaths over the years.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'firefighterinsider_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',177,'0','0'])); So, let’s compare the statistics. link to Career Change to Firefighter: What You Need to Know. They are both very necessary professions and which is better suited to you will depend on your personality and the type of work you enjoy. When you hear helium, most people think about balloons. They also can self dispatch a call if they see an issue or crime being committed. Firefighters can benefit from medical training for better prospects. Deciding a career path is a big decision and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The average Fire Fighter salary in Ohio is $46,554 as of December 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $34,916 and $58,193. It may be hard to tell what each job actually entails, as it is usually very different from what you might see in movies or on TV. 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