Firefighters Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $164,940 +177.1% vs national
Median hourly $79.30
10th percentile $68,600
90th percentile $183,090
Employed locally 1,180
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $68,600
    25th
    $118,370
    50th (median)
    $164,940
    75th
    $164,940
    90th
    $183,090

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 105% Median Firefighters salary is 5% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $100,040

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $99,210
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $88,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $88,290

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $45,930
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $150,650
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $55,870
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $45,190
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $131,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $70,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in San Jose, CA is $79.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.15 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in San Jose, CA is 177.1% above the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in San Jose?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $68,600 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $118,370.