Are firefighters are rich

By comparison, most full time firefighters in North America earn into the top 5% income bracket. Then consider most also have side professions and or businesses earning in some cases as much or many times more. I know of firefighters who are lawyers, realtors, contractors, chiropractors and vets. Among that group some earn as much as $500K annually in addition to their salaries. So in short firefighters, can be rich but only by virtue of their shift schedule.