SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Firefighters is $70,900 a year, which is 19.6% higher than the national figure of $59,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Firefighters is $70,900 a year, which is 19.6% higher than the national figure of $59,280. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $58,000 and $84,230. The lowest tenth earn under $56,830, while the highest tenth earn more than $99,130.
The area has 2,880 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $152,100. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 333rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,830 | −4.1% |
| 25th | $58,000 | −2.2% |
| Median (50th) | $70,900 | +19.6% |
| 75th | $84,230 | +42.1% |
| 90th | $99,130 | +67.2% |
| Mean | $74,540 | +25.7% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $152,100 | 1,330 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $113,700 | 3,450 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $98,050 | 7,200 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $95,950 | 330 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $94,080 | 2,590 | |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $87,400 | 310 | |
| 7 | Santa Maria | $82,250 | 410 | |
| 8 | Salinas | $81,070 | 760 | |
| 9 | Yuba City | $80,360 | 110 | |
| 10 | Napa | $80,260 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $70,900 buys what $64,047 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$70,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,047US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $70,900 a year, 19.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,830 to $99,130 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,880 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $152,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $70,900, or $34.09 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in San Diego, CA is 19.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Diego, CA earns more than $99,130 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,830 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $152,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,880 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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