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Firefighter Salary in San Jose, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$103,756/ year

Median Firefighter in San Jose, CA

$62,763
10th
$76,540
25th
$103,756
Median
$137,060
75th
$167,213
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$103,756
Total compensation (est.)
$119,319
Bonus range
$2,150 – $9,240
Mean salary
$109,981

How This Compares

San Jose, CA median
$103,756
California median
$59,456+74.5%
National median
$58,290+78.0%

Cost of living in San Jose is 78% above the national average. Salary of $103,756 here is equivalent to $58,290 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$74,704-28.0%
3-5 years
$94,418-9.0%
6-10 years
$116,207+12.0%
10+ years
$143,183+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$91,305-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$103,756
Enterprise (5,000+)
$122,432+18.0%

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Firefighter Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$88,018/yr
San Diego, CA$83,938/yr
San Francisco, CA$107,837/yr
Fresno, CA$58,290/yr
Sacramento, CA$58,290/yr

Related Jobs in San Jose

Police Officer$119,776/yr
Correctional Officer$88,306/yr
Security Guard$63,777/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$50/hr
Monthly gross$8,646/mo
25th percentile$76,540/yr
75th percentile$137,060/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Firefighter Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in San Jose?

The median Firefighter salary in San Jose is $103,756 per year, with a range from $76,540 at the 25th percentile to $137,060 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Firefighter pay in San Jose compare to the national average?

Firefighter salaries in San Jose are 78% above the national median of $58,290. After adjusting for San Jose's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $58,290 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Firefighter salaries in San Jose?

In San Jose, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Firefighter roles start around $62,763, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $167,213 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Jose a good place for Firefighter jobs?

San Jose offers a Firefighter median of $103,756, which is 78% above the US median of $58,290. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Jose is 78% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Firefighter salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Firefighter in San Jose is $137,060, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.