Fire service officers (watch manager and below) vs Police officers (sergeant and below) Salary (2025)

How do Fire service officers (watch manager and below) and Police officers (sergeant and below) salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Police officers (sergeant and below) earns £8,682 more per year (22% higher)
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Detailed Comparison

MetricFire service officers (watch manager and below)Police officers (sergeant and below)Difference
Median Annual£39,939£48,621-£8,682
Mean Annual£39,756£48,668-£8,912
Monthly£3,328£4,052-£724
Weekly£768£935-£167
Hourly£19.20£23.38-£4.18

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileFire service officers (watch manager and below)Police officers (sergeant and below)
10th (Entry)£13,395£32,899
25th£32,059£37,006
50th (Median)£39,939£48,621
75th£48,267£55,452
90th (Senior)£0£65,893
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) or a Police officers (sergeant and below)?
A Police officers (sergeant and below) earns more. The median salary for a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) is £39,939, whilst a Police officers (sergeant and below) earns £48,621 — a difference of £8,682 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) and a Police officers (sergeant and below)?
The difference is £8,682 per year. Police officers (sergeant and below) is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) or a Police officers (sergeant and below)?
From a salary perspective, Police officers (sergeant and below) offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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