salary$113,700 a year$55 an hour · median pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$77,070per year
Top pay (top 10%)$139,590per year
Jobs in the area3,450people work this job
Can a firefighter afford San Mateo?
Expensive. Rent of $3,358 a month takes 35.4% of the median firefighter salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Firefighter pay in similar cities
Other jobs in San Mateo
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in San Mateo, CA?
The median pay for a firefighter in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $113,700 a year ($55 an hour). Most earn between $77,070 and $139,590.
Can a firefighter afford to live in San Mateo?
Typical rent of $3,358 a month takes 35.4% of the median firefighter salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.