Firefighters pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA), the median pay for firefighters is $73.12 an hour ($152,100 a year). About 1,330 people work in this job there.
That is 157% higher than the U.S. median ($59,280). It is 79% higher than the California median ($85,120).
Pay range for firefighters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $28.69 | $59,680 |
| 25% of workers | $45.09 | $93,800 |
| Half of workers (median) | $73.12 | $152,100 |
| 75% of workers | $80.18 | $166,770 |
| 90% of workers | $87.15 | $181,270 |
Firefighters pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (this page) | $152,100 | 1,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $113,700 | 3,450 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $98,050 | 7,200 |
| Vallejo | $95,950 | 330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $94,080 | 2,590 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $87,400 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $82,250 | 410 |
| Salinas | $81,070 | 760 |
| Yuba City | $80,360 | 110 |
| Napa | $80,260 | 0 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $79,540 | 320 |
| Fresno | $79,160 | 770 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $79,160 | 3,390 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $77,400 | 660 |
| Modesto | $77,370 | 230 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $75,910 | 390 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $72,410 | 780 |
| Chico | $71,830 | 350 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $70,900 | 2,880 |
| Redding | $65,170 | 410 |
| Visalia | $65,170 | 480 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $64,980 | 380 |
| Merced | $63,940 | 270 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $55,220 | 110 |
| El Centro | $46,080 | 180 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for firefighters
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +3.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 26,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,460 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.