Firefighter Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median firefighter in the San Diego area earns $70,900 a year ($34.09 an hour), 20% above the U.S. median ($59,280) and 17% below the California median ($85,120). Half of the 2,880 firefighters there earn between $58,000 and $84,230.
Median $70,900
10th: $56,83090th: $99,130
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,830 | $52,390 | $34,910 |
| 25th percentile | $58,000 | $65,170 | $44,490 |
| Median | $70,900 | $85,120 | $59,280 |
| 75th percentile | $84,230 | $109,620 | $77,250 |
| 90th percentile | $99,130 | $136,150 | $101,040 |
| Average | $74,540 | $95,090 | $63,630 |
| Jobs | 2,880 | 31,470 | 345,990 |
San Diego, CA ranks 18th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for firefighter pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($152,100).
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Check my payFirefighter pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $152,100
- San Francisco, CA: $113,700
- Los Angeles, CA: $98,050
- New York, NY: $106,420
- Seattle, WA: $101,090
- Denver, CO: $87,980
- Portland, OR: $85,170
- Chicago, IL: $82,820
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Security Guard: $38,500
- Police Officer: $110,400
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.