Fire service officers (watch manager and below) vs Paramedics: Salary Compared
A Paramedics earns more — a median £53,818 vs £44,033 for a Fire service officers (watch manager and below). That is £9,785 more per year (22%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Paramedics is paid more than a Fire service officers (watch manager and below): median gross pay of £53,818 versus £44,033 — a £9,785 (22%) gap. Source: ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
Pay compared, side by side
Gross annual pay for full-time UK employees, ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
| Measure | Fire service officers (watch manager and below) | Paramedics |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £30,517 | £37,665 |
| 25th percentile | £38,111 | £45,499 |
| Median | £44,033 | £53,818 |
| 75th percentile | £50,976 | £60,860 |
| 90th percentile | — | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Fire service officers (watch manager and below) = 3313; Paramedics = 2255.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in East, where a Paramedics earns a median £54,220 versus £39,314 for a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) — a £14,906 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) or a Paramedics earn more in the UK?
- A Paramedics earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £53,818 for a Paramedics versus £44,033 for a Fire service officers (watch manager and below) — a difference of £9,785 (22% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Fire service officers (watch manager and below)?
- Most Fire service officers (watch manager and below) earn between £38,111–£50,976 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £44,033. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- What is the typical salary range for a Paramedics?
- Most Paramedics earn between £45,499–£60,860 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £53,818. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- Where do these pay figures come from?
- From the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3) — gross annual pay for full-time employees by 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians, not guarantees: individual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Related comparisons
Data: Office for National Statistics — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for full-time employees and do not guarantee individual pay. A Gera Systems product.