salary$152,100 a year$73 an hour · median pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$59,680per year
Top pay (top 10%)$181,270per year
Jobs in the area1,330people work this job
Can a firefighter afford San Jose?
OK. Rent of $3,046 a month takes 24.0% of the median firefighter salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Firefighter pay in similar cities
Other jobs in San Jose
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in San Jose, CA?
The median pay for a firefighter in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area is $152,100 a year ($73 an hour). Most earn between $59,680 and $181,270.
Can a firefighter afford to live in San Jose?
Typical rent of $3,046 a month takes 24.0% of the median firefighter salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.